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United Lutheran Church in 
America. 

Constitution and by-laws of 
the United Lutheran Church 





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CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 


of 


The United Lutheran Church 


in America 








<n OF PRINCET5 > 






MAR 141 1999 





A eS 
“EOLogicay sew 


PHILADELPHIA, -PA: 
THE UNITED LUTHERAN PUBLICATION HOUSE 
1925 





The Constitution of the United Luth- 


eran Church in America 


PREAMBLE 


In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Having been called by the Gospel and made partakers of 
the grace of God, and, by faith, members of our Lord and 
Saviour Jesus Christ, and, through Him, of one another, 

We, members of Evangelical Lutheran congregations in 
America, associated in Evangelical Lutheran Synods, recogniz- 
ing our duty as people of God to make the inner unity which 
we have with one another manifest in the common confession, 
defense and maintenance of our faith, and in united efforts 
for the extension of the Kingdom of God at home and abroad; 
realizing the vastness of the field that God has assigned us for 
our labors in this Western world, and the greatness of the 
resources within our beloved Church which are only feebly 


employed for this purpose; conscious of our need of mutual 


assistance and encouragement; and relying upon the promise of 
the divine Word that He who hath begun this work will per- 


fect it until the day of Christ Jesus, 


Hereby unite, and now invite and until such end be attained 


continue to invite all Evangelical Lutheran congregations and 


synods in America, one with us in the faith, to unite with us, 
upon the terms of this Constitution, in one general organiza- 
tion, to be known as THE Unitep LUTHERAN CHURCH IN 
AMERICA, 


4 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF 


CONSTITUTION 
AR TIGA I 
NAME 


The name and title of the body organized under this Con- 
stitution shall be Tue Unrrep LUTHERAN CHURCH IN 
AMERICA. 


ARTICLE II 
DoctTRINAL BASIS 


Section 1. The United Lutheran Church in America re- 
ceives and holds the canonical Scriptures of the Old and 
New Testaments as the inspired Word of God, and as the only 
infallible rule and standard of faith and practice, according 
to which all doctrines and teachers are to be judged. 


Section 2. The United Lutheran Church in America ac- 
cepts the three ecumenical creeds: namely, the Apostles’ the 
Nicene, and the Athanasian, as important testimonies drawn 
from the Holy Scriptures, and rejects all errors which they 
condemn. 4 


Section 3. The United Lutheran Church in America re- 
ceives and holds the Unaltered Augsburg Confession as a cor- — 
rect exhibition of the faith and doctrine of the Evangelical — 
Lutheran Church, founded upon the Word of God; and 
acknowledges all churches that sincerely hold and faithfully — 
confess the doctrines of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession — 
to be entitled to the name of Evangelical Lutheran. 


Section 4. The United Lutheran Church in America recog- | 
nizes the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalkald © 
Articles, the Large and Small Catechisms of Luther, and the — 
Formula of Concord, as in the harmony of one and the same 
pure Scriptural faith. 


AI CICLE SEL 


PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIZATION 


ee ey 


In accordance with the foregoing Doctrinal Basis, The | 
United Lutheran Church in America sets forth and declares 


THE UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA 5 


the following principles as fundamental to its organization: 


Section 1. All power in the Church belongs primarily and 
exclusively to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Head 
of the Church. This power is not delegated to any man or 
body of men. 


Section 2. All just power exercised by the Church has 
been committed to her for the furtherance of the Gospel 
through the Word and sacraments, and is conditioned by this 
end and pertains to her as the servant of Jesus Christ. The 
Church, therefore, has no power to bind the conscience except 
as she teaches what her Lord teaches and faithfully com- 
mands what He has charged her to command. 


Section 3. Congregations are the primary bodies through 
which power committed by Christ to the Church is normally 
exercised, 


Section 4. In addition to the pastors of churches, who 
are cx officio representatives of their congregations the people 
have the right to choose representatives from their own number 
to act for them under such constitutional limitations as the 
congregations may approve. 


Section 5. The representatives of congregations convened 
in Synod and acting in accordance with their Constitution are, 
for the ends defined in it representatively the congregations 
themselves, and have the right to call and set apart ministers 
for the common work of all the congregations; whose repre- 
sentatives they thereby become, and as such also members of 
the Synod. 


Section 6. Congregations representatively constituting the 
various Synods may elect delegates through those Synods to 
represent them in a general body, all decisions of which, when 
made in accordance with the Constitution, bind so far as the 
terms of mutual agreement make them binding, those con- 
gregations and Synods which consent to be represented in the 


general body. — 


Section 7. In the formation and administration of a general 
body, the Synods may know and deal with each other only 


6 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF 


as Synods. In all such cases, the official record is to be ac- 
cepted as evidence of the doctrinal position of each Synod and 
of the principles for which alone the other Synods are re- 
sponsible by connection with it. 


AR GEPALNE 
MEMBERSHIP 


Section 1. The United Lutheran Church in America at its 
organization shall consist of the congregations that compose 
the Evangelical Lutheran Synods which have been in connec- 
tion with the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church in the United States of America, the General Council 
of the Lutheran Church in North America, or the United 
Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the South, and 
which accept this Constitution with its Doctrinal Basis as set 
forth in Article II. 


Section 2. Any Evangelical Lutheran Synod applying for 
admission which has accepted this Constitution with its Doc- 
trinal Basis as set forth in Article II, and whose Constitution 
has been approved by the Executive Board, may be received 
into membership by a majority vote at any regular Convention. 


ARI CUE NG 
DELEGATES 


Section 1, Each Synod connected with The United Luth- 
eran Church in America shall be entitled to representation at 
its Conventions by one ordained minister and one layman for 
every ten pastoral charges or major fraction thereof, on its 
roll; provided, however, that each Synod shall be entitled to 
at least one ministerial and one lay delegate; and provided 
further that the delegates elected by the Synods to the last 
conventions of the general bodies to which they respectively 
belong held prior to the first convention hereunder, shall be 


THE UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA rf 


and they are in the adoption hereof chosen by their respective 
Synods as their duly elected delegates to said first convention 
hereunder, irrespective of the basis of representation upon 
which they were chosen. The ratio of representation may be 
changed at any regular Convention of The United Lutheran 
Church in America by a two-thirds vote, provided that notice 
of the proposed change has been given at the preceding regular 
Convention. 


Section 2. Each Synod shall choose its delegates in such 
manner as it may deem proper. The delegates from each 
Synod shall elect one of their own number as chairman unless 
the Synod itself has designated the chairman. 


ARTICLE VI 
OBJECTS 


The objects of The United Lutheran Church in America 
are: 


Section 1. To preserve and extend the pure teaching of 
the Gospel and the right administration of the sacraments. 
(Eph. 4:5, 6; The Augsburg Confession, Article VII). 


Section 2. To conserve the unity of the true faith (Eph. 
4:3-16; I Cor. 1:10), to guard against any departure there- 
from (Rom. 16:17), and to strengthen the Church in faith 
and confession. 


Section 3. To express outwardly the spiritual unity of 
Lutheran congregations and synods, to cultivate co-operation 
among all Lutherans in the promotion of the general interests 
of the Church, to seek the unification of all Lutherans in one 
orthodox faith, and thus to develop and unfold the specific 
Lutheran principle and practice and make their strength ef- 
fective. 


Section 4. To awaken, co-ordinate and effectively direct 
the energies of the Church in such operations as the following : 


8 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF 


(a). The training of ministers and teachers to be witnesses 
of the Word. 


(b). The extension of the kingdom of God by Home, For- 
eign and Inner Missions. : 


(c). The proper regulation of the human externals of 
worship, that the same, in character and administration, may 
be in keeping with the New Testament and the liberty of the 
Church, and may edify the Body of Christ. 


(d). The appointment of editorial committees or editors 
of Church papers and Sunday school literature. 


(e). The preparation and publication of such literature as 
shall promote the dissemination of knowledge as to the doc- 
trines, practice, progress, and needs of the Lutheran Church. 

(f). The creation, organization and development, through 


Boards and Committees, of agencies to carry on all depart- 
ments of work. 


Section owaloa tay apportionments, and to solicit and dis- 
burse the funds necessary for these and other purposes defined 
in this Constitution. 


Section 6. To foster and develop the work of Synods, to 
exercise a general supervision of the Church, and on appeal of 
Synods to give counsel and to adjudicate questions of doctrine, 
worship and discipline. 


Section 7. To enter into relations with other bodies in the 
unity of the faith and to exchange official delegates with them. 


ARTICLE Vif 
CONVENTIONS 


Section 1. A Convention of the duly elected delegates of 
The United Lutheran Church in America shall be held at 
least once in every two years, at such time and place as may 
be determined by the preceding C onyention of the body, or by 
the Executive Board. 


Section 2, Special Conventions shall be called by the officers 








THE UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA 9 


at the request of two-thirds of the members of the Executive 
Board, or at the request of the presidents of a majority of 
the Synods. The delegates shall be those who represented 
the Synods at the previous regular Convention, provided they 
have not been disqualified by removal or by the election of 
new delegates. Vacancies in delegations shall be filled accord- 
ing to the rules of the respective Synods. 


Section 3. A majority of the delegates representing a 
majority of the Synods, shall constitute a quorum. 


WR EIGER AVITI 
POWERS 


Section 1. As to External Relations. The United Luth- 
eran Church in America shall have power to form and dis- 
solve relations with other general bodies, organizations and 
movements. To secure uniform and consistent practice no 
Synod, Conference or Board, or any official representative 
thereof, shall have power of independent affiliation with gen- 
eral organizations and movements. 


Section 2. As to Internal Relations. The United Lutheran 
Church in America shall have power to deal with internal 
matters that affect all its constituent Synods or the activities 
of The United Lutheran Church as a whole, except that when 
the operation of such power takes place within the domain 
of any of the Synods their consent and co-operation must first 
be secured. 


Section 3. As to Intersynodical Dealings. The United Lu- 
_theran Church in America shall have power to address and 
counsel its constituent Synods for the promotion of inter- 
-synodical harmony. Any question of interpretation of law, 
rights, or principle, that comes within its jurisdiction, or any 
| proper cases referred to it on appeal of a Synod, shall be 
determined by a Commission of Adjudication hereinafter pro- 
_ vided for. 


10 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF 


Section 4. As to Individual Synods and Specific Cases. If 
Synods have had due and legal opportunity to be represented 
in the Conventions of The United Lutheran Church in Amer- 
ica, they are bound by all resolutions that have been passed in 
accordance with this Constitution. But each Synod _ retains 
every power, right and jurisdiction in its own internal affairs 
not expressly. delegated to The United Lutheran Church in 
America, 


Section 5. As to Doctrine and Conscience. All matters of 
doctrine and conscience shall be decided according to the Word 
of God alone. If, on grounds of doctrine or conscience, the 
question be raised as to the binding character of any action, 
the said question shall be referred to the Commission of 
Adjudication. Under no circumstances shall the right of a 
minority be disregarded or the right to record an individual 
protest on the ground of conscience be refused. 


Section 6. As to the Maintenance of Principle and Practice. 
The United Lutheran Church in America shall protect and 


enforce its Doctrinal Basis, secure pure preaching of the’ 


Word of God and the right administration of the sacraments 
in all its Synods and congregations. It shall also have the 
right, where it deems that loyalty to the Word of God re- 
quires it, to advise and admonish concerning association and 
affiliation with non-ecclesiastical and other organizations whose 
principles or practices appear to be inconsistent with full 
loyalty to the Christian Church, but the Synods alone shall have 
the power of discipline. 


Section 7. As to Books of Devotion and Instruction, etc. 
The United Lutheran Church in America shall provide books 


of devotion and instruction, such as Liturgies, Hymn Books 


and Catechisms, and no Synod without its sanction shall pub- 


lish or recommend books of this kind other than those pro- 


vided by the general body. 


: 


Section 8. As to Work and Administration. The United | 


Lutheran Church in America shall have the power to engage 
in the work described under “Objects” (see ArticlesViljesto 


THE UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA 11 


create and regulate Boards and Committees, to determine bud- 
gets, and to lay apportionments. 


Section 9. The executive power of The United Lutheran 
Church in America shall be vested in the officers of the gen- 
eral body, in an Executive Board, and in various other Boards 
for special purposes, subject to this Constitution and the Con- 
ventions of the general body. 


ARTIGBH SIX 
OFFICERS 


Section 1. The officers of The United Lutheran Church in 
America shall be a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, 
who shall be elected by ballot at each regular Convention and 
shall serve until their successors are elected. The President, 
who shall be an ordained minister, and the Secretary shall be 
chosen from the delegates present. 


Section 2. The President shall preside at all sessions of the 
Convention, shall have the appointment of committees, unless 
The United Lutheran Church otherwise direct; shall see that 
the Constitution be observed and resolutions carried out; shall 
sign all official papers, and shall discharge such other duties 
as are delegated to him by the Convention. 


Section 3. The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceed- 
ings, attest all documents of the body, and publish the time 
and place of the next meeting at least two months in ad- 
vance. In case of a special meeting he shall give a written 
notice thereof to the President of each of the Synods im- 
mediately upon the issue of the call, and shall publish the same 
at least thirty days in advance of the meeting. 


Section 4. The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all 
moneys, and keep an account of all his transactions and submit 
a report of the same at each regular Convention. He shall 
make disbursements only unon the order of the President, 
attested by the Secretary. He shall be required to give cor- 


12 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF 


porate surety in such amount as shall be determined by the 
Executive Board. 


Section 5. In the event of the death, resignation or in- 
capacity of any officer in the interim between Conventions, the 
Executive Board shall fill the vacancy. 


ARDIGL ES 
INCORPORATION 


The United Lutheran Church in America shall be in- 
corporated. 


ARTICLE X I 
THE EXECUTIVE BOARD 


Section 1. The Executive Board of The United Lutheran 
Church in America, which shall also be its Board of Trustees, 
shall consist of the President, the Secretary, and the Treasurer 
of the general body who shall also be the officers of the Ex- 
executive Board, together with six ministerial and six Jay mem- 
bers who shall be elected by the general body for a term of 
four years. 


Section 2. At the first election three ministerial and three 
lay members shall be elected to serve four years, and three 
ministerial and three lay members to serve two years. There- 
after three ministerial and three lay members shall be elected 
at each regular Convention to serve four years. 


Section 3. The Executive Board shall meet at stated times. 
It shall be the duty of the Executive Board to represent The 
United Lutheran Church in America and to carry out its 
resolutions and attend to its business during the interim; it 
shall co-ordinate the work of the executive departments, re- 
ceive reports as to the work and needs of the several Boards, 
present a budget to the Conventions with apportionments, fill 


THE UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA 13 


vacancies not otherwise provided for, and perform such other 
work as may be delegated to it by the general body, to which 
it shall make full report of its acts. 


ARTICLE XII 
CoMMISSION OF ADJUDICATION 


Section 1. A. Commission of Adjudication shall be estab- 
lished to which shall be referred, for interpretation and de- 
cision, all disputed questions of doctrine and practice, and this 
Commission shall constitute a court for the decision of all 
questions of principle or action arising within The United 
Lutheran Church in America, and which have been properly 
referred to it by resolution or by appeal of any of the Synods. 


Section 2. This Commission of Adjudication shall consist 
of nine members, six ministers and three laymen, learned in 
the doctrine, the law and the practice of the Church. All of 
the members of this Commission shall be elected at the first 
Convention of The United Lutheran Church in America, two 
ministers and one layman for a period of six years, two min- 
isters and one layman for a period of four years, and two 
ministers and one layman for a period of two years. As their 
terms expire their successors shall be elected at each Conven- 
tion for a term of six years. 


Section 3. The Commission shall elect its own officers, and 
shall meet at least semi-annually for the transaction of busi- 
ness. When it holds meetings, or renders decisions, due notice 
of the time and place of meeting shall be given by its sec- 
retary to all persons interested, and a standing notice of the 
time and place of its regular meetings shall be published in 
the Church papers. 


Section 4. The consent of at least six members shall always 
be necessary for a decision. 


Section 5. The Commission shall render a written report 


14 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF 


of all its actions and decisions to the next regular Convention, 
but the right of appeal from its decisions shall always be 
recognized. 


ARAL I GLE ex Lit 
BoARDS 


Section 1. The United Lutheran Church in America shall 
determine the number of members in the several Boards which 
it shall’ create, and these Boards shall always be amenable 
to it. 


Section 2. All members of Boards shall be elected by The 
United Lutheran Church in America. Vacancies occurring 
in any Board ad interim shall be filled by the Executive Board 
of the Church on nomination of the Board in which the 
vacancy exists. No person shall be a member of more than 
two boards at one and the same time. No member of any 
Board, including the Executive Board, shall be a member of 
the Commission of Adjudication; but the President of The 
United Lutheran Church shall at all times have a seat and a 
voice in all the Boards and in the Commission of Adjudication. 


Section 3. These Boards, upon the determination of the 
general body, shall secure articles of incorporation which must 
be in harmony with the purposes of The United Lutheran 
Church in America; but no Board shall apply for incorpora- 
tion until its proposed charter shall have received the approval 
of the general body in Convention, or, in the interim, of the 
Executive Board. 


Section 4. The Boards, unless otherwise provided, shall 
have power to elect their own officers and employees, and to 
carry on their work in accordance with the design of their 
appointment. No member of a Board shall be a salaried 
employee thereof. 


Section 5. The Boards shall require corporate surety from 
their respective treasurers. At each regular Convention of The 
United Lutheran Church in America, they shall render full and 
accurate reports of their work during the preceding biennium. 


THE UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA 15 


. 


Section 6. The Woman’s Missionary Society, as auxiliary 
to Boards of The United Lutheran Church in America, shall 
have the right to appoint two women as advisory members of 
each of the missionary and benevolent Boards to the support 
of whose work they regularly or officially contribute. 


AR PICGLHUXLY: 
SYNODS 


Section 1. No Synod in connection with The United Luth- 
eran Church in America shall alter its geographical boun- 
daries without the permission of the general body. 


Section 2. Synods shall give advice to their ministers and 
congregations concerning doctrine, life and administration, and 
shall exercise such disciplinary measures as may be necessary. 


Section 3. The Presidents of Synods shall exercise an over- 
sight of the pastors and congregations composing their re- 
spective Synods, and shall be charged with the duty of carry- 
ing out the rules and regulations adopted by the Synods. When 
requested by the Executive Board they shall appear before it 
to represent their Synods. They may also make suggestions 
to the Executive Board, or seek its advice, with respect to the 
conditions and work in their Synods. 


Section 4. Should any Synod in connection with The 
United Lutheran Church in America desire to continue its 
established lines of work for reasons satisfactory to the gen- 
eral body, such privilege may be granted. 


TNE OA Tag ODE ND PS. 
CoMMITTEES, By-LAws AND AMENDMENTS 


Section 1. The United Lutheran Church in America may 
appoint special and standing committees. It may adopt By- 
Laws for the transaction of its business, provided that they 
do not conflict with this Constitution. These By-Laws may be 
suspended or amended at any Conyention by a _ two-thirds 
vote. 


16 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 


Section 2. Amendments to this Constitution must be pre- 
sented in writing at a regular Convention of The United 
Lutheran Church in America, which shall decide by a two- 
thirds vote whether and in what form they shall be submitted 
to the Synods. An exact copy of proposed amendments shall 
be transmitted by the Secretary to the Presidents of the 
Synods for submission to their respective bodies. If at a sub- 
sequent Convention two-thirds of the Synods shall report their 
approval of the amendments proposed they shall be declared 
adopted. 


BY-LAWS 


Nr eb ED 192001922, 11924 





SECTION I 


MEETINGS 


Item 1. Arrangements for the Conventions of The United 
Lutheran Church in America shall be made by the officers 
acting in conjunction with the pastor loci or a local com- 
mittee appointed for the purpose. 


Item 2. Every Convention shall begin with The Service. 
The sermon shall be preached by the President or someone ap- 
pointed by him. The first business session shall be opened by 
the use of the prescribed order. 


Item 3. A tentative order of business shall be .prepared by 
the Executive Board. Boards and other representatives of 
causes desiring to hold meetings in the interest of their specific 
work shall make request to the Executive Board for a place 
on the program of the Convention at least two months before 
the regular meeting. All appointments for religious services 
and public meetings in the interest of specific causes shall be 
left with the President. 


18 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF 


SECTION SIL 
DELEGATES 


Item 1. A roll of the delegates of the Convention of The 
United Lutheran Church in America shall be prepared by the 
Secretary prior to each meeting. To facilitate his work each 
President of a Synod in connection with The United Luth- 
eran Church in America shall forward a list of delegates 
elected by his Synod to the President and Secretary of the. 
General Body at least 30 days before the meeting, signed by | 
the President and Secretary of the Synod. 


Item 2. No changes shall be made in the roll of delegates 
unless such change is duly authorized by the Synod concerned. 


Item 3. In the absence of a quorum the delegates present 
may adjourn from time to time and postpone the session of 
the Convention until a quorum shall appear. 


Item 4. Delegates, Commissions or representatives from 
other Lutheran Bodies not in union with The United Luth- 
eran Church in America may be given a voice and a seat, but 
no vote, in the Convention by a majority vote of the delegates 
at any meeting. 


Item 5. The mileage of all delegates shall be paid from 
the treasury of The United Lutheran Church, and the appor- 
tionment for the treasury shall be made sufficient to cover 
this expense. Other necessary expenses of delegates shall be 
provided for as the Synods may determine. 


Item 6. Delegates shall not absent themselves from the 
sessions of the Convention without valid excuse, which shall be 
presented to the Committee on Leave of Absence. Said com- 
mittee shall make a final report at the closing session of the 
Convention. Delegates absenting themselves without being 
excused shall forfeit their mileage. 


THE UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA 19 


SHCGLIONe Itt 
RECEPTION OF SYNODS 


Item 1. The application of a Synod desiring to be received 
into The United Lutheran Church in America shall be pre- 
sented to the Executive Board together with a copy of the 
Synod’s Constitution. Upon recommendation of the Executive 
Board the Synod may be received in accordance with the 
Constitution, Article IV, Section 2. The delegates of such 
Synod upon the approval of their credentials shall at once be 
seated in the Convention and their names entered upon the roll. 


SECTION IV 
ELECTIONS 


Item 1. At the beginning of every biennial Convention the 
President shall appoint tellers to conduct the election of officers 
and Boards in accordance with rules and regulations adopted 
by the General Body. 


Item 2. Election of officers, members of the Executive 
Board and of the other Boards, including the Commission of 
Adjudication and all elective Committees, shall be by ballot. 
The Secretary shall prepare printed ballots for the use of 
voters in the Convention. 


Item 3. In the election of a President, the following rules 
shall obtain: On the first ballot, three-fourths of all the votes 
cast shall be necessary to an election. On the second ballot, 
two-thirds of all the votes cast shall be necessary to an elec- 
tion. If two ballots fail to result in an election, the third 
ballot shall be confined to the two persons who in the second 
ballot receive the highest number of votes and no vote cast for 
any other shall be counted. In the third ballot a majority 
of the votes shall elect. 


Item 4. In the election of the Secretary, Treasurer and 


20 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF 


members of regular Boards and elective Committees, a 
majority of the votes cast shall be necessary for an election. 


Item 5. The result of each ballot shall be announced by 
the tellers to the Convention. 


SELON e 
BoarDS AND COMMITTEES 
A. List of Boards and Elective Committees 


There shall be: 


1. An Executive Board. 


. A Commission of Adjudication. 


- A Home Mission and Church Extension Board. 
. A Board of Northwestern Missions. 

6. An Immigrants Mission Board. 

7. A West Indies Board. 

8. A Committee of Jewish Missions. 

9, A Board of Education. 

10. An Inner Mission Board. 

11. A Board of Publication. 

12. A Board of Ministerial Pensions and Relief. 

13. A Parish and Church Schoo] Board. 

14. A Board of Deaconess Work. 

15. AGBoatd for\the Homettor the Aged. 


2 
3. A Foreign Mission Board. 
4 
5 


THE UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA 21 


16. A Committee on Church Papers. 


17. An Executive Committee of the Laymen’s Movement. 


B. Nominations and Appointments 


Item 1. In the first Convention -the Boards which shall 
agree to merge their interests in a common Board shall jointly 
nominate members for such Board. An equal number may be 
nominated from the floor. In either case the term of each 
person placed in nomination shall be indicated so that one- 
third of the members shall serve for two years, one-third for 
four years and one-third for six years. 


Item 2. Thereafter beginning with the second biennial 
Convention of The United Lutheran Church in America, the 
term of each regularly elected member shall be six years. 
Nominations for membership shall be made as follows: 


A committee appointed by the President shall nominate a 
number equal to the number of vacancies on each Board. The 
Board itself may also nominate an equal number. If any 
Board shall fail to make such nominations the Nominating 
Committee shall present twice as many as are to be elected. 
Nominations may also be made from the floor. Nominations 
shall not be so construed as to confine voting to the nominees. 


Item 3. The membership of Boards of The United Luth- 
eran Church in America shall consist of not less than nine, 
or more than twenty-one members. 


Item 4. No member of any Board shall be eligible for 
election for more than two successive terms; and no person 
shall be a member of more than two Boards at one and the 
same time. 


Item 5. Early in the session of each Convention of The 
United Lutheran Church the President shall appoint: 


(1). A Nominating Committee of nine ministers and nine 
laymen to make the nominations necessary to fill all vacancies 
on the several benevolent Boards. Nominations made by the 


Zea CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF 


St 


Boards themselves shall be referred to this Committee as 
soon as appointed. 


(2). A Nominating Committee of nine ministers and nine 
laymen, to make nominations necessary to fill all vacancies 
on the Executive Board and on all Commissions and Com- 
mittees that are to be elected by the Convention. 


These Committees shall report at such time as the Con- 
vention may designate. 


Item 6. A Standing Committee on Church Papers to con- 
sist of nine members shall be elected by The United Luth- 
eran Church. 


At the first Convention three shall be elected for two years, 
three for four years and three for six years. Beginning with 
the second biennium the term for the newly elected members 
shall be six years. 


It shall be the duty of this Committee to select editors of 
such Church Papers as The United Lutheran Church may 
recognize, authorize or found. The selection of these editors 
shall be made, if possible, before or during the Conventions . 
of The United Lutheran Church, and subject to its ratifica- 
tion. If, however, it be impossible to make the selection at 
the time named the Committee shall have full power to act 
ad intertm. The salaries of the editors shall be determined by 
the Committee and the Board of Publication jointly. 


This Committee shall also be charged with the general 
oversight of the Church Papers whose editors shall be re- 
sponsible to the said Committee. The Committee shall see 
that the papers are conducted in accordance with the spirit 
and intent of the Constitution, in the interest of The United 
Lutheran Church and for the edification of the people. 


Item 7. The President shail appoint a Standing Com- 
mittee consisting of fifteen members, known as the Common 
Service Book Committee, to whom shall be referred all mat- 
ters pertaining to the worship of the Church. 


This Committee shall be responsible for the Common Ser- 
vice Book, with respect to text and form in all editions; it 
shall prepare forms and manuals of worship and devotion 


THE UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA V3 


authorized by the Church; and shall consider such other mat- 
ters as may be referred to it by the Church. 


Item 8. The President shall appoint a Committee of three 
ministers and four laymen to nominate a Standing Committee 
of ten laymen which shall be known as the Executive Com- 
mittee of the Laymen’s Movement and shall have charge of 
its development and administration. It shall have power to 
increase its membership as deemed expedient. 


Item 9. In addition to the foregoing, the President shall 
appoint the following: 


(1). A Standing Committee on Associations of Young 
People whose duty shall be to co-ordinate and stimulate the 
Societies of Young People in The United Lutheran Church, 
so that in due time they may be merged into a League of 
Lutheran Young People. 


(2). A Standing Committee to have the supervision of 
the work of Lutheran Brotherhoods. 


(3). A Standing Committee on Work for Boys. 


C. Powers and Duties 


Item 1. Inasmuch as the Boards and Committees are rep- 
resentatives of The United Lutheran Church in America, and 
of its work, the general policies of all Boards and Com- 
mittees shall be decided by the Church, and it shall be the 
duty of Boards to refer all questions affecting the principles, 
practice and policy of the Church as a whole, to The United 
Lutheran Church for decision. It shall be the duty of the 
Boards to carry out and administer these principles and policies 
thus decided; and when changes seem advisable they may sug- 
gest any changes to the Church for its approval, after which 
only they shall become operative. 


Item 2. No official relationship with any other ecclesias- 
tical bodies or their agencies shall be entered into by any 
Board or Committee of The United Lutheran Church in 


24 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF 


America without the approval of the Church. See Constitu- 
HOMpeAtt or Vl wmecents 


Item 3. All Boards, Standing Committees and Commis- 
sions after each meeting shall furnish the Executive Board 
with a copy of their proceedings that said Executive Board 
may be thoroughly informed and qualified to co-ordinate the 
work of the entire body. Boards which seek appropriations 
or apportionments shall present their request for the amount 
desired together with a statement of financial operations to 
the Executive Board not less than three months before each 
regular Convention, to enable the Board to prepare its budget. 


Item 4. No Board shall have the right to inaugurate a 
propaganda for the raising of funds, outside of its regular 
budget, without the consent of the Executive Board of The 
United Lutheran Church. 


Item 5. The financial accounts of the several Boards and 
Commissions shall be submitted for audit to an accredited ac- 
countant. In connection with its report each Board shall pre- 
sent to the Convention the report of the Treasurer certified by 
said accountant. The fiscal year of all Boards shall close on 
the last day of the fourth month preceding the one in which 
the Convention of the United Lutheran Church shall meet. 


Item 6. All reports of Boards and Standing Committees, 
with recommendations, shall be sent to the Secretary of The 
United Lutheran Church at least sixty days before each Con- 
vention. The Secretary shall send out a Bulletin containing 
reports ten days in advance of the Convention. 


Item. 7. All reports of Boards shall be regularly signed 
by their officers. All reports of Committees shall be signed 
by a majority of the members thereof. 


Item 8. Special and institutional reports shall, as fareas 
possible, be incorporated into the report of the Board or 
Committee dealing with the general subject, and where this 
cannot be done, shall be heard only in connection with the 
consideration of that report, and shall be edited before printing. 


THE UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA 25 


Item 9. The person first named on a temporary Committee 
shall act as its Chairman. Standing Committees shall be con- 
vened by the person first named, and shall elect their own 
officers. 


Item 10. When, besides the report of the majority of a 
Committee, there is also a report of a minority, the former 
shall be read first. 


Item 11. In all cases of appeal from any decision of the 
Commission of Adjudication to the Convention of the United 
Lutheran Church at least ten days’ previous notice in writing 
shall be given of the intention to appeal, to the Chairman of 
such Commission in which notice the reasons for the appeal 
shall be given. 


Item 12. An appeal from any decision of the Commission 
of Adjudication can be made only at the Convention of the 
United Lutheran Church, at which such decision has been 
reported, and can be entertained only if the notice specified in 
Item 11 above has been given, and shall be submitted in writ- 
ing by five delegates to said Convention. After the submis- 
sion and argument of the appeal it shall not be voted upon 
until the succeeding day. For the sustaining of the appeal 
and reversing the decision from which the appeal is made, a 
two-thirds vote of the members present and voting shall be 
necessary. In the discussion of any such appeal, the Com- 
mission of Adjudication shall be fully heard through any 
of its members whom it may designate, whether they be or 
be not delegates to the Convention. 


SECTION VI 
CONCERNING THE PRESIDENT 
Item 1. The President shall conduct all business according 


to the Constitution, By-Laws, and Order of Procedure of The 
United Lutheran Church, and insist upon the observance of 


26 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS VO 


the same on the part of every member. He shall appoint all 
committees unless otherwise provided for. 


Item 2. Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall be the 
governing parliamentary law except where not in harmony 
with the Constitution and By-Laws. 


Item 3. He shall prepare a biennial report which shall 
briefly summarize the general conditions in the Church and 
his own work during the biennium and which shall be pre- 
sented and assigned to Committees prior to the Convention’s 
entering into the election of a successor. 


SE CRT ON VET 
COMMITTEES 
A. Special Committees 


The following special Committees shall be appointed by 
the President at the first session of each Convention of The 
United Lutheran Church in America 


1. Committee to conduct the cpening and closing services 
of each session. 


2. Committee on Leave of Absence. 
3. Committee on Proceedings of District Synods. 


_ 4. Committee of Reference and Counsel. (Its duties shall 
include the consideration of all general resolutions before they 
are. submitted to the Convention, arrangements with the Presi- 
dent for the hearing of representatives sent to the Conventions, 
and general assistance to the President in the daily program). 


5. Committee to Nominate Executive Committee Laymen’s 
Movement. 


6. Committee to Nominate Members of Boards. 


7. Committee to Nominate Members of Executive Board, 
and all elective Commissions or Committees. 


8. Committee of Tellers. 


THE UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA 2h 


B. Standing Committees 
The following Standing Committees shall be appointed by 
the President: 
1. Statistical and Church Year Book Committee. 
2. Committee on Common Service Book. 
3. Committee on Church Music. 
4. Committee on German Interests. 


(It shall arrange, in conference with the Executive Board. 
for any meetings of a German Conference required. It shall 
also be a place of counsel for any agencies of the Church 
when they are dealing with matters which concern especially 
the German-speaking portions of the Church. It shall, further- 
more, have the privilege to approach any agency of the Church 
upon matters which are for the interest of that portion of 
the Church). 


5. Committee on Lutheran Brotherhoods. 

6. Committee on Women’s Work. 

7. Committee on Associations of Young People. 
8. Committee on Work Among Boys. 

9. Committee on Army and Navy Work. 

10. Committee on Moral and Social Welfare. 

11. Committee on Evangelism. 


12. Committee on Church Architecture. 


—_ 


13. Committee on Publicity. 


14. A Committee on Necrology, the Chairman of which 
shall be recognized as the Necrologist of the United Lutheran 
Church for the biennium. 

15. Committee on Transportation. (Its duties shall include 
all transportation interests, including the mileage and transpor- 
tation arrangements for the Conventions). 

16. An Archivist. 


17. Such other Standing Committees as may be provided for 
from time to time, 


28 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 


SECTION VIII 
AMENDMENT 


These By-Laws may be suspended or amended at any Con- 
vention by a two-thirds vote of the members present and 
voting; provided that due notice of the amendment proposed 
shall have been given on the preceding day. 





STANDING RESOLUTIONS 


Resolved, That no member of the Executive Board shall be 
a member of any other board; provided, however, that this 
resolution shall not apply to those elected to boards at this 
meeting. 


(Minutes U. L. C. A. 1918, page 62) 


Resolved, That the Convention shall not finally vote ap- 
propriations in addition to and above those budgeted until they 
have first been referred to the Budget Committee for report 
to the Convention. 


(Minutes U. L. C. A. 1924, page 85) 


Resolved, That the Chairmen of Synodical Delegations 
shall be responsible for keeping the attendance roll of their 
members for each session, reccive excuses for absence and 
report to the Chairman of the Committee on Leave of 
Absence, with their recommendations, at the opening of the 
morning session of the concluding day of the Convention. 

(Minutes U. L. C. A. 1924, pages 114, 532) 


INDEX OF CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED 
LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA 


By M. G. G. SCHERER 


Adjudication, Commission Of ......:.cccssessereeesreeeesreseeeeees Art. XII. 
Adjudication, A COULE wiciiiiceccccecsereecerereteetcreerenenseeeensees Art. XII. Sec. 
Adjudication, Constituency Of .......c:ccccssseressesseereeteeetes Art. XII. Sec. 
Adjudication, Decisions, Consent of six members 

ING COBSEEY ese cos renee ss ckece streets soconcdeacnednceessoarsesesonsonsesessseesss Art. XII. Sec. 
Adjudication, Decisions, Appeal from. .............00 Art. XII. Sec. 
Adjudication, Election of at first convention .......... Art. XII. Sec. 
Adjudication, Election of at subsequent conventions Art. XII. Sec. 
Adjudication, Meetings Of ......cccccseseseeseeseeeeeseeennecsensees Art. XII. Sec. 
Adjudication, Notice of time and place of meetings..Art. XII. Sec. 
Adjudication, Officers Of .......cccccccccscsssssnreseceeeessesseeeeesonee Art. XII. Sec. 
Adjudication, Qualification of members .........::.0 Art. XIII. Sec. 

Art. XII. Sec. 
Adjudication, Questions to be referred to .............++ Art. VIII. Sec. 3, 

Art. XII. Sec. 
Adjudication, Report ......cccccscersseceseereeesseneseseeeeeeeenasenenes Art. XII. Sec. 
Adjudication, Term Of OfffC@ ........c:ccceceeseeeerseeteresenneeees Art. XII. Sec. 
APPOFtioONMENtS  o......cscsscscsscscescesseccesetaeseessnserscerseeeseneaaseenes Art. VIII. Sec. 
Augsburg Confession, The Unaltered ............:eee Art. II. Sec. 
Augsburg Confession, Apology Of  ........cseseseeeseeeeees Art. II. Sec. 
Boards, Advisory members, may be appointed by 

Women’s Missionary Society .......ccccccccsesesceerereeeerssenee Art. XIII. See. 
Boards, Amenable to the U. Le. Cz ....ceceeeeceeessereseeesees Art. XIII. See. 
Boards, Charters, Approval Of ...........cescceeessceeesereerenes Art. XIII. Sec. 
Boards, Executive power vested im .........cccceeeeeeeeeees Art. VIII. Sec. 
Boards, Incorporation Of ........ccceceeseesccecesereeeseceeerenestaeaeeees Art. XIII. Sec. 
Boards, Members, Number 0f o.......c:ccesccsecsseesereeesseeneres Art. XIII. Sec. 
Boards, Membership, Regulations concerning ............ Art. XIII. Sec. 
Boards, Officers and Employees 0f ..........:c:cssseeseeeees Art. XIII. Sec.. 
Boards, Powers 0f .......:ccccsssccsccssessceesssneeceessceeserseacensenseeaees Art. XIII. Sec. 
Boards, President of U. L. C.. shall have a seat and 

AC CC ee re ctecc roencbawacsncccnsctcoosducsetccccaederestesas ssc Art. XIII. Sec. 
Boards, Reports  ....cccccccccccesssesssrscseccseesessrsenscecesersssseeseeseneees Art. XIII. Sec. 
Boards, Salaried employees ..............c:eccceessesserseeeessseeeenes Art. XIII. Sec. 
Boards, Surety Of treasurers ...........cccccccceseenscneeceteesseteees Art. XIII. Sec. 
Boards, Vacancies ad interim ...........ccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeree ee Art. XIII. Sec. 
STAC tree reenter aces Rests cacescncsssscoarcactoocs=sssencecncesenness Art. VIII. Sec. 
By-Laws, May be adopted .u......cceeccececescesseeneeseeeteeeeenees Art. XV. Sec. 
By-Laws, How amended or suspended .............:0006 Art. XV. Sec. 
Catechisms, Large and Small 2.0.0... cece seeereereeeees Art. If. Sec. 
Chairman of Synodical Delegation ..............:c::ceeeees Art. VY. Sec. 
Commission of Adjudication (See Adjudication, 

COMMIESSION Of)  ....ccccoccccccccessrssessssscccccccesrecnesserssseccorsoesses Art. XII. 
Committees, Special and Standing ...........:cccceeseeeeeeee Art. XV. Sec. 
Congregations, the primary bodies through which 

committed power iS EXELCiSed ..........cceeeecseceeeeeeenees Art. III. Sec. 
Congregations, their right to choose representatives Art. II. Sec. 


m= 9 CO DS he mt OT DS DS Go Co Go DS DS np 


Room et = OO bb OU OTL mm RN OoN eo 


em 


30 INDEX 


Conscience, and the power of the Church .................. Art. 
Constitution, Executive power, subject to ........:cc666.... Art. 
Constitution, How it may be amended ................0.:00... Art. 
Conventions @ne ee eo a eae ee en tee Se ee eee Art. 
Conventions, Executive power, subject to .......ccccccc000 Art, 
Conventions, How often to be held. .....cccccccccccccccscosccceee Art. 
Conventions, Time and place ...........ccccccccsssseceseceseccccccecee Art. 
Conventions, Time and place, notice Of coccccccccccccccccse Art. 
Conventions, Special ..........0........ A gsataosaadisiShesse staat eonmaeneees Art. 
Conventions, How called oo...c.....cccccccccccsscssssscsccesscecccecsoceee Art. 
Conventions, Delegates to .o......ccccccsssccsssssccecsscosesscececeecce Art. 
Delegations, Vacancies in, how filled .......cccccccccccecccoeee Art 
Delegates, to the U. L. C. first convention .............. Art 
Delegates to the U. L. C. subsequent conventions.... Art 
Delegates to the U. L. C. how chosen cicceccccccccccecccess Art 
Delegation; 'Chairman, of /...5.2-5 he eee Art 
Discipline, Power of left to Symo0ds cocccccccccccccccccccccsess. Art 
DoétrinaliBasisu ee a ee ee Art. 
Doctrinal Basis, Powers of the U. L. C. in regard to Art. 
Doctrine and Conscience, matters relating to .......... Art. 
Ecumenical Creeds, the three ........cccccccccccosssececceocecesess.. Art. 
Exchange of official delegates with other bodies ...... Art. 
Evangelical Lutheran, What churches are entitled 

to the name: {on Fee. nae ee ae Art. 
Executive \ Board} Ajnls.d. cnet eee Art. 
Executive Board, Constituency Of o.ccceccccccccccsccc, Art. 
Executive Board, Duties of oo...cccccccccccscccsosesesecceccn... Art. 
Executive Board, Duties of, carry out, resolutions 

of ithe UU C Meas. cn non: eet a Art. 
Executive Board, Duties of, to fill vacancies ............ rt 
Executive Board, Duties of, Present a Budget with 

apportionments ig)... te eee rt. 


A 
Executive Board, Duties of, Report to the U. L. C... Art. 
Executive Board, Duties of, To represent the U. L. C. Art. 
Executive Board, Election of o.csccccscssscsssssssscseececccscncsc., Art. 
Executive Board, Election of, at first convention.... Art. 
Executive Board, Election of, at subsequent con- 


Ventions ci. cresavii canta aa aeen tee ee Cee, oi Se Art. 
Executive Board, Meetings of .o....cccccccccscocce ss BE CER: Art. 
Executive Board, Members, qualifications of ............ Art. 
Executive Board, Officers o......cccccssscssssssssssesoossenn Art. 
Executive Board, Powers vested Vinj../3. 2 eee Art. 
Executive Board, Shall be Board of Trustees .......... Art. 
Executive Board, Term of Off1C@ ....ceccccccsscseccccccc Art. 
Executive Power of the U. L. C. vested in Execu- 

tive sRoard so usa 00) a eee aes Sanaa Art. 


Executive Power of the U. L. C. vested in Officers.. Art. 


IIT. 
VIl. 
XV. 
VI. 
VIII. 
VII. 
VIL. 


VIII. 
VIII. 


Executive Power of the U. L. C. vested in Other! -** 


Boards © ici ihnsn tah co Se oat eet ee Art. 
Executive Power, Subject to constitution and con- 

Venton 256 fs.3iae tah dears eas is ye Ra Art. 
Formula. of (Concord (408.200) a ete ae Art 
General : Body, 0 iced eee ee Art. 


VIII. 


VIII. 
II. 
Hil. 


a 


A) “ID CNH MN Nem DD ODS DD GOR ee i) bo 


wire Om boODD Newest We oS me 


INDEX 

in the formation and administration of .............. Art. 
General Body, Decisions of, bind Synods and Con- 

ZVETALIONS  ....cccccsscecserssssoceessccssscceneeceessssersssonsesersrsorsssesseees Art, 
General Body, Delegates to, elected by Synods ........ Art. 
General Body, Delezates to represent congregations Art. 
General Body, Delegates to represent synods .......... Art. 
Incorporation of the U. Le Ce ccccsccsssccscccesscesneessssceeses Art. 
Incorporation Of Boards .......cccccccseceessseeeesseessesseesennanes Art. 
Meetings, Notice Of ..............sssssceveressetscescesenrercecesscnsnsecesees Art. 
Ministers called and Set apart .........cccccccsecceesceeesseneen ene Art. 
Ministers, their status in relation to congregations.. Art. 
Minority, the right of not to be disregarded ............ Art. 
Missions, Home, Foreign and Inner ...........:::eeeee Art. 
Non-Ecclesiastical organizations ..........c:ccccceseseneeceeeetnenee Art. 
APTI COTSHOLE CHE Used to) Ce tersessccsteocecssesecstoosecoonsvacereossspsvaesests Art. 
Power in the Church, belongs to Christ .................. Art. 
Power of the Church, how conditioned .................0. Art. 
Power of the Church, in relation to conscience ........ Art. 
President, Duties Of ...................scccsccsescesessesennnrseeeecseeasones Art. 
President, Rights of, in Boards .........:..ceccceseeneeees Art. 
President, Shall be an ordained minister .................. Art. 
Presidents, of Synods, Duties ..........:..::cscccseessenseeeeeesees Art. 
Presidents, Relations with Executive Board ................ Art. 
Principle amd practice ...........c ee sessesceseeessseseeescensnseeeeomeresees Art. 
Principles of Orgamization .0.........ccsessesssesceecsereeseeeeeeeoees Art. 
Protest, right of individual 2.............ccceccccceceeeessenteeeeeeees Art. 
BAYA. 6eA cc hcotdencoceronneececnodeco scpposd 8 onodo ondac cUcaScGCOeE SSO OCor Ln Art. 
Representation, Basis Of .......cccccsccccsssescessseeeceereecsenereeesnaes Art. 


Representation, Ratio of, how it may be changed.... Art. 
Representatives of Congregations, limits of their 


TODEOIE | pockohencnbathcosiconddogn Ses soandecatcocepcb scan tiene canada Ja soeBaadeeeDoso0r Art. 
Scriptures, the inspired word of God ..........cccseeeeeee Art. 
Scriptures, the infallible rule and standard of faith 

ATIC EPEC LIC@ ress acca ssescsnsotenessesentesescescecncersscesescosrcrsecesssenes Art. 
Secretary, Duties Of ............:.--ccrsscecscsssevscccnsseesscessccescooesors Art. 
Secretary, Shall be chosen from the delegates present Art. 
rrr hall PA HEICI OS pect ccccsccctesecccccccsseeccesecsscecscooeccocsseezeasecootsms Art. 
Synod, Composition Of ........ccccccssceessecesereenseeesseeeereeseeesere Art. 
Synod, Constitutional DOdy ..........c:cccsseeeeseeeeereeseereeeeees Art. 
Synod, A representative body .........::cccsceeseseeeeereeeeees Art. 
Synod, Responsible for doctrines and principles of 

the synods connected With it ...........:ccccsesessececeeesteees Art. 
Synod, Right of, to call and set apart ministers ...... Art. 
SS VRLOCS Me eee eerie tote c tee ctesessceaccsececusvarscreteesseasreresccsoseccnnscoressses Art. 
Synods, Basis of representation in U. L. C. ............ Art. 


Synods, Bound by constitutional actions of U. L. C. Art. 
Synods, Delegates to the first convention of U. L. C. Art. 
Synods, Doctrinal position of, shown by official 


EOCOL Ce eae Seco eeUaEs conten cpces a saccuetacoanescoeenacssees Art. 
Synods, Geographical boundaries, not to be altered 
Without PELMISSION  ..........cc.cccoosessccncencccccccecnrsscscesenscsccoes Art. 


Synods, Not to publish or recommend books other 
than those provided by the U. L. Cy. ....cceeeceeeseeees Art. 


Sec. 


Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 


Sec. 


Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 


Sec. 
Sec. 


Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
See. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 


Sec. 
Sec. 


Sec. 
Sec. 


4 


AAANH 


bet et COU AaAwWweNNNNH =| S PHOS DO 


Ill. Sec. 4-6 


If. 


Sec. 


Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 


Sec. 
Sec. 


Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 
Sec. 


Sec. 


1 


OU OT OT me OO 


1 | 


— 


—_ 


5 INDEX 


Synods, Powers and rights retained by ........... seeseaees Art. VIII. 
Synods, Privilege may be granted as to established 
linies Of Work en reteset eck recta eacve ents epenieenas Art. XIV. 


Synods, Rights and duties of, to exercise discipline.. Art. XIV. 
Syneds, Rights and duties of, to give advice con- 


cerning doctrine, life and administration .............. Art. XIV. 
Treasurer, Duties ‘Of 5 cicrccckissiceresecsecae tre ecko Artie =EXe 
Treasurer; Surety. cOL sn hsevcrseckesoccnscesecasesectetcenreconceeoctasc ters Arti>: SLXS 
Trustees, {Board ® Of ccies seccoses oasnden eetaseecaeeeectetn a eee Attia oie 
United Lutheran Church, Membership of, at its or- 

PANEZACION, 1.5. 3oehes eas oeens ceases eee oh das a De oR rece OR nee Art. IV. 
United Lutheran Church, Name of o..........ccc.cccccceeeeees Art. I. 
United Lutheran Church, Objects of ..............ccccceceeee Art; - MVE 
United Lutheran Church, Objects of, as regards co- 

operation among Lutherams o............cccceccceeeccesscensceees Arto Vir, 
United Lutheran Church, Objects of, as regards 

development of principle and practice .................... Art. VI. 
United Lutheran Church, Objects of, as regards 

outward expression Of UNITV oo... ccc ccceeeccceessecceeeees Art; 2 Vie 
United Lutheran Church, Objects of, as regards 

unification of Lutherans .0...........ccc.cccseccscescscsssscccssscones Art: VE 
United Lutheran Church, Objects of, as regards 

unity sof sthe = faith: 2324 eee eee Art EViin 
United Lutheran Church, Objects of, as regards 

word: and ssacramentwiei aires eee Art. VI. 
United Lutheran Church, Objects of, as regards 

Various. Operations se dcs ce eee Arts Wit 
United Lutheran Church, Objects of, in relation to 

Finance 5 c.c.cases cee Art. VI. 
United Lutheran Church, Objects of, in relation to 

other’ bodies 92. ee ee Art. VI. 
United Lutheran Church, Officers of ........cccccccccccceseeee ArteeLx: 
United Lutheran Church, Officers of, elected by 

ballot 2. cca tee oe ee eee Artix 


United Lutheran Church, Officers of, term of service Art. IX. 
United Lutheran Church, Powers and Rights of, 

as to External Relations .........c..cccccccccsccoscccoceee. je ee Art. VIII. 
United Lutheran Church, Powers and Rights of, as 

to deny power of independent affiliation to sy- 


nods, etesiliancaeie tee en eee Art. VIII. 
United Lutheran Church, Powers and Rights of, as 

to form and dissolve relations 2.....cccccccccccccceeccceccecee es Art. VIII. 
United Lutheran Church, Powers and Rights of, as 

to individual synods and specific cases .................... Art. VIII. 
United Lutheran Church, Powers and Rights of, as 

to internal relations 22.22... eee Art. VIII. 
United Lutheran Church, Powers and Rights of, as 

to inter-synodical dealings 0..........ccccccccccsseccssecececccceees Art. VIII. 


Brin tied o> Art. VIII. 


Art. VIII. 
Art. VIII. 


ee eewesseres 


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bo i) A) w oo —_ bat fe oe DD i Co 


—_ 


CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 


Evangelical Lutheran Congregations in 


Constituent Synods 
OF 


The United Lutheran Church in 


America 


Approved and Recommended by the Executive Board 
of The United Lutheran Church 


Revised in 1928. 


THE UNITED LUTHERAN PUBLICATION HOUSE 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 


COPYRIGHT, 1920, BY 


Tue Unitep LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA 


CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS 
FOR 


EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN 
CONGREGATIONS 


PREAMBLE 


In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Ghost. Amen. 


We, members of the Church of Christ, desiring to manifest 
that inner unity which we have with one another in the common 
confession, defence and maintenance of our faith and in joint 
efforts for the extension of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, unite in the adoption of the following Constitution. 


CONSTITUTION 


ARTICLE I 
TITLE AND INCORPORATION 


1. The name and title of this congregation shall be 

Se a Cie ee ene ee Evangelical Lutheran Church of 

i. The congregation shall be incorporated. 

3. The Church Council shall be the Board of Trustees of the 
corporation. 


fote LOTT | 


DoctrINAL Basis 
1. This congregation receives and holds the canonical Scrip- 
tures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of 
God, and as the only infallible rule and standard of faith and 


S 


4 CONSTITUTION 


practice, according to which all doctrines and teachers are to 
be judged. 

2. This congregation accepts the three ecumenical creeds— 
namely, the Apostles’, the Nicene, and _ the Athanasian—as 
important testimonies drawn from the Holy Scriptures, and 
rejects all errors which they condemn. 

3. This congregation receives and holds the Unaltered 
Augsburg Confession as a correct exhibition of the faith and 
doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church founded upon the 
Word of God; and acknowledges all churches that sincerely 
hold and faithfully confess the doctrines of the Unaltered 
Augsburg Confession to be entitled to the name of Evangelical 
Lutheran. 

4. This congregation recognizes the Apology of the Augs- 
burg Confession, the Smalkald Articles, the Large and Small 
Catechisms of Luther, and the Formula of Concord as in the 
harmony of one and the same pure Scriptural faith. 

To this Doctrinal Basis all instruction in the Church, the 
school and the family shall be conformed. 


AR EIGER SIE 


SYNODICAL CONNECTION 

1. This congregation together with its pastor shall belong 
tO eitinrincs SUR cee Sea (Synod) in connection with 
the United Lutheran Church in America, so long as said synod 
shall adhere to the Doctrinal Basis of the United Lutheran 
Church in America. | 

2. This congregation shall never unite with any synod whose 
doctrinal basis does not agree with the Doctrinal Basis of the 
United Lutheran Church in America. | 

3. This congregation shall consider it its duty to support - 
Bios. ROR eter ARTY WN Ay ors od ok (Synod) to the best of its — 
ability in the upbuilding of the Kingdom of God. In case of. 
dissolution or discontinuance of the congregation its property 
shall belong to the aforesaid synod. | 

4. This congregation and its pastor shall hold and observe | 
membership in a conference of the 
(Synod), as determined by this synod. 


on 


CONSTITUTION 
AR TIGCEALY 


MEMBERSHIP 


1. This congregation shall consist of the pastor and other 
members of the Christian Church who are baptized, and who 
accept the covenants and obligations of this constitution and 
declare their willingness to abide by its regulations. 

2 Admission into the congregation may take place in any 
of the following ways: 

(a) By Baptism—i. e., adults who receive baptism after 
previous instruction, and children who receive baptism before 
the age of separate responsibility. 

(b) By Confirmation—i. e., persons who have been baptized 
and have received catechetical instruction. 

(coe byn i tansier—1.. €.) persons who come from other 
Lutheran congregations and present satisfactory letters of 
dismissal. 

(d) . By Special Order—i. e., 

(1) Persons who come from other Lutheran congrega- 
tions but are unable to present letters of dismissal but to 
whose reception there is no objection. 

(2) Persons who come from non-Lutheran congregations, 
whose life is in accord with the Word of God and who de- 
clare before the congregation their readiness to accept the 
doctrines of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and to accom- 
modate themselves to its forms and usages. 

(e) Admission to membership shall take place by vote of 
the Church Council except in the case of those admitted by 
baptism. 

3. Duties of Members. : 

The members of this congregation shall honor God, and seek 
his gifts of grace by regular attendance upon divine services 
and by partaking of the Lord’s Supper as provided for by the 
congregation; shall read and seek to understand the Word of 
God and devout literature in accordance with the Scriptures ; 
shall adorn their faith with a godly life; shall bring their 
children in early infancy to holy baptism; and shall send them 
to the Bible schools of the congregation and subsequently to 
catechetical instruction. In case of illness they shall inform the 
pastor of the same. They shall live peaceably with one another, 
and in case differences should arise, endeavor to settle them 


6 CONSTITUTION 


in a Christian manner, with the help of their brethren, and 
without recourse to law. They shall have regard for the needy 


once a year shall be regarded as communing members. 

(d Communing members who regularly attend divine ser- 
vices and who are 
support of the congregation shal] be regarded as members in 
good standing. 

Rights and Privileges of Members. 

(a) All members of this congregation twenty-one (?) 
years of age and over who are in good standing shall be eligible 
to vote and hold office. 

(b) All confirmed members have the right to attend divine 
worship, to partake of the Holy Communion unless under 


discipline, and to ask the services of pastor and church in al] 
necessary cases, 


6. Discipline of Members. 

(a) If a confirmed member lives in open sin or habitually 
neglects the means of grace or persistently disregards his Chris- 
tian duties or repudiates the Christian faith, it shall be the 
duty of the Church Council to exercise church discipline in his 
case. To this end the Church Council shall have power to cite 
any member of the congregation to answer charges brought or 
to give testimony as the Case may require, ; 





CONSTITUTION 7 


(b) The various grades in church discipline shall be private 
admonition, admonition in the presence of two or three wit- 
nesses, Citation before the Church Council, suspension, excom- 
munication (Matt. 18: 15-17). The suspension or excom- 
munication of a member shall deprive him of all rights and 
privileges, except that of attending public worship. Excom- 
municated or suspended members may have their privileges 
restored, by action of the Church Council, upon the removal 
of the cause of discipline. 

(c) All charges against any member of the congregation 
must be made in writing and signed by the complainant or 
complainants. It shall be the duty of the Church Council to 
investigate and decide such charges. A copy of such charges 
must be submitted to the accused at least twenty days before 
the investigation, at which he has been summoned to appear, 
and at which time he shall be entitled to speak and to produce 
testimony in his own defence. Appeals from the decision of 
the council may be made to the congregation and to the synod 
in accordance with the constitution of the synod with which 
this congregation is connected. 

(d) Should differences or contentions arise in the congre- 
gations either between pastor and people, or among the mem- 
bers themselves, and should all efforts to effect a peaceable 
settlement fail, the matter shall be brought to the attention of 
synod. 


A Riel Gierony. 
MEETINGS 


1. Congregational meetings shall be held regularly as the 
congregation may determine by by-law. Special meetings may 
also be provided for. 

2. At congregational meetings all matters concerning the 
welfare of the congregation may be determined, including the 
filling of the various offices of the congregation. 

3. The congregation shall have the power to appoint special 
committees with definite or general instructions; and to 
authorize the organization of approved societies or special as- 
sociations within itself, subjecting the same to the control of 
the Church Council, and making them responsible to the council 
for all their undertakings. 


8 CONSTITUTION 


ARTIGLEUVTI 
THE PASTOR 


1. The pastor of this congregation shall be one (a) whose 
soundness in the faith and whose aptness to teach have been 
examined and approved by an Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and 
who has been properly ordained; (b) who adheres without 
reserve to the doctrinal basis of the United Lutheran Church 
in America; (c) whose life and conduct are without reproach ; 
(d) who is, or agrees to become as soon as possible, a member 
OLR Nn ee Pon es tne Seer ama (Synod). 

Z. When the pastorate of the congregation becomes vacant, 
it shall be the duty of the Church Council at once to notify 
the President of the Synod, and to consult with him with 
regard to filling the vacancy. They shall also provide for the 
supply of the pulpit ad interim. They shall after prayerful 
consideration nominate for pastor one who possesses the require- 
ments set forth in Section 1 of this article. They shall then 
call a congregational meeting, which shall be announced at 
least two Sundays in advance, at which the electors specified 
in Article IV, Section 5, shall vote by ballot for or against 
the person nominated for pastor. No other person eligible to 
become pastor shall be considered or voted upon at this meeting. 
The election and its returns shall be under the care of judges 
appointed by the Church Council. A two-thirds majority of 
all the votes cast shall be required for an election. x 

3. After the pastor has been duly elected a written call shall 
be tendered him by the officers of the Church Council in which 
shall be specified the respective duties of pastor and congrega- 
tion together with the support which the congregation will 
guarantee him. 

4. The duties of the pastor shall be as follows: 

Ne To give himself to prayer and the study of the Word 
of God. 

(b) To preach the Word of God on Sundays, festival days, 
and such other times as the congregation may desire. 

(c) To administer the sacraments according to the practice 
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 


(d) To visit the members of the congregation, especially the 
sick, 


CONSTITUTION 9 


(e) To instruct and confirm the young of the congregation 
and to examine all applicants for admission into the same. 

(f) To perform the marriage ceremony in accordance with 
the laws of God and of the State. 

(g) To officiate at funerals of metnbers of the congregation. 

(h) To care conscientiously for the souls of his flock, 
and together with the Church Council to maintain church 
discipline. 

(i) To show an active interest in the Bible school and 
other organizations of the congregation, and in general to 
promote the spiritual welfare of the congregation. 

(j) To keep an accurate record of his ministerial acts in 
the congregation, in a book provided by the congregation and 
remaining the property of the congregation; and to report 
annually these statistics to the congregation and to the Synod 
or to an official appointed by the Synod for that purpose. 

(k) To be present, if possible, at all meetings of the con- 
gregation and Church Council, and to give to each the benefit 
of his wisdom and counsel. 

5. In his rights and duties the pastor shall be assisted and 
respected by the Church Council. 

6. Should any charges of neglect of duty or false doctrine 
or immoral conduct be brought against the pastor such charges 
shall be presented in writing over the signatures of five voting 
members of the congregation. When this has been done it 
shall be the duty of the Church Council to inquire into the 
truth of the same. The pastor shall have the right to be 
present and to be heard before the Church Council when such 
charges are being considered. If the charges be substantiated 
the Church Council shall admonish the pastor in a Christian 
spirit, endeavoring to remove all just cause for complaint. 
Should this prove unavailing the Church Council shall report 
the same in writing to the President of Synod in order that 
the case may be dealt with according to the Constitution of 
Synod. Appeals from the decision of the Church Council may 
be made to the Synod in accordance with the Constitution of 
the Synod. 

ARTICLE VII 


THe CHuRcH CoUNCIL 


1. The Church Council, charged with the administration of 
the temporal and spiritual affairs of the congregation, shall 


10 CONSTITUTION 


consist of the pastor and twelve (?) deacons. (NoteWhen 
a congregation desires to maintain the office of elder or trustee 
or both, provision may be made in this paragraph for such 
members of the Church Council in addition to the pastor and 
deacons. Their office, however, should not be confused with 
the Lutheran office of the diaconate, and the special function 
of each should be clearly stated.) 

2. The members of the Church Council shall be elected 
for a term of three (?) years each, the terms of one-third (?) 
of them to expire each year. The election shall be by ballot 
and shall be held at the annual meeting of the congregation. 
All voting members in good standing shall be eligible for elec- 
tion as members of the Church Council. 

3. The duties of the Church Council shall be as follows: 

(a) To see that the services of God’s house are held at the 
proper times and conducted in accordance with the Order of 
the Church; that the pure Word of God is preached as the 
Church confesses it; and that the Sacraments are properly 
administered. 

(b) To provide for and show an interest in the Christian 
instruction of the young and of all requiring it. 

(c) To assist the pastor in his performance of the duties 
of his office, particularly in the care of the sick and needy, in 
the cultivation of harmony among the members, and in the 
promotion of the general welfare of the congregation. 

(d) To show themselves in all things by word and example 
a pattern of good works. 

(e) To assist in exercising discipline in the name of the 
congregation whenever necessary. 

(f) To care for the property of the congregation, and to 
see that its secular affairs are properly administered. They 
shall not, however, incur any expense in excess of $500.00 (?) 
without the consent of the congregation. 

(g) To elect and dismiss all salaried and volunteer officials 
of the congregation, as the organist, the sexton, the treasurer, 
and the financial secretary; to fill all temporary vacancies in 
the various offices. 

(h) To provide for a pastoral supply during the sickness 
or absence of the pastor. 

(1): eioghoceand provide for all salaries not otherwise pro- 
vided for by the congregation. 


CONSTITUTION 11 


(j) To elect the delegate who shall accompany the pastor 
to the meetings of Conference and Synod or to unite with the 
Church Councils of the other congregations constituting the 
parish in electing such a delegate. 


4. Officers of the Church Council. 


(a) The pastor of the congregation shall be ex-officio pres- 
ident of the Church Council. In his absence or at his request 
a vice-president, elected annually by the Council from among 
their number, may preside in his stead. 

(b) The Council shail annually elect from their number a 
secretary who shall record the minutes of all meetings of the 
Council and of the congregation in a record book provided 
for that purpose. He shall fill out all orders and together with 
the president sign them. He shall transact all other written 
business of the congregation. 


(c) The Council shall annually elect two treasurers from 
among the members of the congregation in good standing, a 
congregational treasurer and a treasurer of benevolence. The 
congregational treasurer shall receive all monies intended for 
the current or special expenses of the congregation. The treas- 
urer of benevolence shall receive all monies intended for the 
benevolent work of the congregation, the Synod, and the Church 
at large. The treasurers shall disburse their respective funds 
according to the direction of the congregation or the Council, 
and keep proper accounts of all receipts and disbursements. 
They shall report monthly to the Council as to the financial 
condition of the congregation and at the annual meeting of the 
congregation they shall render an accurate account, duly audited, 
of all monies received and payments made. They shall make 
no payments without an order signed by the president and 
secretary of Council. They shall give security in an amount 
to be fixed by Council. (In case the treasurers are not mem- 
bers of the Church Council, this body may grant them a voice 
and vote in its proceedings. ) 


(d) The Council shall annually elect a financial secretary 
who shall keep a careful record of all contributing members, 
also an accurate account of their contributions ; he shall 
promptly transfer to the treasurers all money received, and it 
shall be his endeavor to effect the prompt payment of the 
year’s subscriptions and apportionments. 


12 CONS DLE N 


5. The Church Council shall meet monthly at such time 
as the congregation may determine by by-law. Special meetings 
may also be provided for. 


AR FICLE ANVIL 


THE SEAL 


1. The seal of this congregation presents (here describe 
definitely the symbols and legend which the seal contains). 

2. The pastor shall be custodian of the seal of the 
corporation. 


ARTICLE IX 
MISCELLANEOUS 


1. By-laws not in conflict with the letter or spirit of this 
Constitution may be made by the congregation. 

2. Alterations, additions, or amendments to this Constitution 
may be made by a two-thirds vote of the members present at 
a regular annual meeting of the congregation, provided that the 
proposed alteration, addition or amendment be moved and pre- 
sented in writing at the preceding annual meeting by the 
Church Council or by at least ten (?) members in good standing 
and that the same has been publicly announced to the congre- 
gation at its services on two or more Sundays prior to said 
annual meeting when action is to be taken. 

3. Everything in any by-law, resolution, or enactment of 
the congregation differing from or in conflict with this 
Constitution is hereby superseded and repealed. 

4. A complete annulment of this Constitution and the con- 
sequent dissolution of this congregation cannot take place so 
long as fen (?) voting members are willing to continue the 
organization. 


BY-LAWS 
SECTION I 


CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS 


1. The regular congregational meeting shall be held annually 
areal Gr CA SOR ee ain yates Pere oar ears Gb de hor 


(a) By action of the Church Council. 

(b) Upon the written request of ten (2) voting members of 
the congregation presented to the Church Council. 

3. All congregational meetings shall be publicly announced 
at divine services at least two Sundays previous to such meet- 
ings and the time, place and object of the meeting shall be 
stated. 

4 At the annual meeting, the pastor, the treasurers, and 
the officers of the various organizations and schools within the 
congregation shall submit reports in writing. 


Any number of voting members of the congregation 
present at such meeting may transact the business, provided that 
the number present be not less than ten per cent of the qualified 
voting membership of the congregation. 

6. The pastor shall preside at all meetings of the congrega- 
tion but may request another to do so in his place. In his 


absence the vice-president of the Church Council shall preside. 


SECTION II 
DISMISSAL OF MEMBERS 


1. Members who remove from the community or desire for 
a valid reason to sever their connection with this congregation 
shall request a letter of transfer to join some other specified 
congregation. 

2. All applications for dismissal from. the congregation 
shall be acted on by the Council. Honorable dismissal shall be 
given only to members in good standing. 


13 


14 BY-LAWS 


SECTION III 
THE CHURCH COUNCIL 


1. All members of the Church Council properly elected or 
re-elected shall be installed by the pastor at the next public 
service following their election or as soon thereafter as 
possible. 

2. All elections of officers shall be by ballot, and the result 
duly recorded by the secretary. 


4. The following shall constitute the Order of Business: 
(a) Prayer. 

(b) Roll call and action on excuses for absence. 

(c) Reading of minutes. 

(d) Reports of treasurers, 

(e) Report of financial secretary. 

(f{) Reports of standing committees. 

(g) Reports of special committees. 

(h) Other reports. 

(1) Reception of petitions and communications. 

(j) Unfinished business. 

(k) New business. 

(1) Adjournment with prayer. 


s 


SECTION IV 
STANDING COMMITTEES 


I. At its first meeting in each congregational year the 
Church Council shall appoint from its own or from the voting 
membership of the congregation as many standing committees 
as the local and general interests of the Church may require. 

2. The duties of all standing committees not otherwise 
defined shall be fixed by the Church Council from whom they 
shall receive needed instructions, and by whom their acts shall 
be subject to review. They shall serve for one year. The 
pastor shall have a voice and vote in all standing committees. 


BY-LAWS 15 


3. There shall be a Committee on Church Property. This 
Committee shall provide for the proper care and protection of 
all property of the congregation and see that the same is kept 
in good repair. 

4. There shall be a Finance Committee of which the treas- 
urers and the financial secretary shall be members ex-officio. 
Its duty shall be to present annually to the Church Council at 
the meeting prior to the congregational meeting, a budget of 
necessary expenditures to be met by the congregation for the 
succeeding year and to devise and put into effect ways and 
means to gather the needed funds in a systematic way. It 
shall audit the accounts of the treasurers and the financial sec- 
retary, and, in conjunction with the congregational treasurer, 
invest the funds of the congregation. 

6. There shall be a Committee on Literature and Music. It 
shall be the duty of this committee to provide and care for the 
books of worship of the congregation, to examine into and 
recommend the use of approved Lutheran literature and music 
in the Bible schools, and to seek the introduction of proper 
church papers and books of family devotion into the homes of 
the congregation. In consultation with the pastor and the 
chorister they shall also provide proper music for the use of 
the choir. 

7 There shall be a Committee on Benevolence of which the 
treasurer of benevolence and the financial secretary shall be 
members ex-officio. The duty of this committee shall be to dis- 
seminate information among the members of the congregation 
concerning the benevolent work of the church and to promote 
greater interest in the same. It shall also devise ways and 
means for the systematic ingathering of the offerings of the 
congregation for benevolence; to look after the poor and needy 
in the congregation and provide necessary relief as quickly as 
possible. 


SECTION V 


MISCELLANEOUS 
All members of the congregation in good standing shall 
be entitled to use the church building in case of a marriage, 
funeral or baptism in the family. Others may use the building 
on such occasions at the discretion of the officers of the Church 
Council. 


16 BY-LAWS 


SECTION. VI 
AMENDMENTS 


No alterations or amendments to these by-laws shall be made 
unless they be presented, in writing, to the Church Council 
and read at a public service prior to the meeting at which they 
are to be acted upon and adopted by a two-thirds vote of the 
members present. 


A SUGGESTED 


CONSTITUTION 


FOR CONSTITUENT SYNODS 


OF 


The United Lutheran Church 


in America 


Approved July 9, 1919 





PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
THE UNITED LUTHERAN PUBLICATION HOUSE 
1920 ; 


PPR CLOT I he PEGA PM, 





te Ale 


ae 





A Suggested Constitution for Constituent 
Synods of The United Lutheran 
Church in America 





ARTICLE ONE 
THE SYNOD 
Section I—THE NAME 


The name and title of the Body organized under this Con- 
Seritioume ally be e.>- ru aaa cee era” 


Section [I—THE DocTRINAL BASIS 
(a.) This Synod receives and holds the canonical Scrip- 


tures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word 
of God, and as the only infallible rule and standard of faith 


and practice, according to which all doctrines and teachers 


(b.) This Synod accepts the three ecumenical creeds— 
namely, the Apostles’, the Nicene and_ the Athanasian—as 
important testimonies drawn from the Holy Scriptures, an 


(c.) This Synod receives and holds the Unaltered Augsburg 
Confession as a correct exhibition of the faith and doctrine 


of God; and acknowledges all churches that sincerely hold 
and faithfully confess the doctrines of the Unaltered Augs- 
burg Confession to be entitled to the name of Evangelical 
Lutheran. 


4 SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION 


(d.) This Synod recognizes the Apology of the Augsburg 
Confession, the Smalkald Articles, the Large and Small Cate- 
chisms of Luther and the Formula of Concord, as in the 
harmony of one and the same pure Scriptural faith. 


Section IJ] —Tue MEMBERSHIP 


1. This Synod. shall consist of ministers and congregations 
in unity with the Doctrinal Basis in Section II, received into 
membership as hereinafter provided. ; 

2. Any Evangelical Lutheran minister applying for admis- 
sion and accepting this Constitution with its doctrinal basis, 
and whose ordination or transfer has the approval of the 
Examining Committee, may be received into membership in 
the order hereinafter provided. 

3. Any congregation located within or contiguous to the 
natural bounds of the territory. of this Synod may, upon 
approval of the Executive Committee, be received into mem- 
bership by a majority vote at any regular convention. 

4. Every congregation shall be faithful to jts obligations 
to this Synod in all matters of support, practice and church 
government. 

5. Other members shall be such as are received by ordi- 
nation, transfer, or as hereinafter provided. 


__ Section I1V—Osject, Duties anp Powers 


_In accordance with the doctrinal basis set forth in Sec- 
tion II of this Article, and in full accord with the Constitu- 
tion of The United Lutheran Church in America, this Body 
recognizes that all power in the Church belongs primarily 
and exclusively to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the 
Church; and all just duties and powers exercised by the 
Church are committed to her for the furtherance of the 
Gospel through the Word and Sacraments. 

Therefore this Body is organized 

a.) To preserve and extend the pure teaching of the 
Gospel and the right administration of the Sacraments (Eph. 
4:5, 6; Augsburg Confession, Article Vibe 

(b.) To conserve the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4: 3-16: 
1) Cor, $310) ato weuard against any departure therefrom 


FOR CONSTITUENT SYNODS & 


(Rom. 16:17); and to strengthen the congregations in faith, 
in confession, and the promotion of the Kingdom of God. 

(c.) To give outward expression to the spiritual unity of 
Evangelical Lutheran Congregations, to cultivate co-oper- 
ation among all Lutherans in the promotion of the general 
interests of the Church, and to develop and unfold the specific 
Lutheran principle and practice and make their strength 
effective. 

(d.) To awaken, co-ordinate, and effectively direct and 
supervise the united energies of the congregations in such 
operations as the following: 


1. The training of ministers and teachers to be witnesses 
of the Word; and the upbuilding, maintenance and strength- 
ening of institutions for the promotion of such training. 

> The extension of the Kingdom of God by the support 
of Home, Foreign and Inner Missions, under the admin- 
‘stration and functions of The United Lutheran Church 
in America. 

3. The proper regulation of the human externals of wor- 
ship in the congregation and family, that the same, in char- 
acter and administration, may be in keeping with the New 
Testament and the liberty of the Church, as well as the 
practice of The United Lutheran Church in America, unto 
the edification of the Body of Christ. 

4. The creation and development of agencies to carry on 
all departments of work in co-operation with the Boards, 
Committees, and Agencies of The United Lutheran Church 
in America. 


(e.) To solicit and disburse funds, and to devise ways and 
means necessary for the purposes of the work defined in this 
Constitution. 

(f.) To ordain fitted men to the holy office of the Ministry 
of the Gospel ; and to suspend and depose those who dishonor 
it by false teaching, by insubordination or an unworthy or a 
wicked life. 

(g.) To maintain discipline unto the fostering of holiness 
and fidelity in the ministry and people. 

(h.) To maintain a true connection and relation with The 
United Lutheran Church in America, and all its interests and 
obligations. 


6 SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION 


SEcTION V—DIsTRIBUTION OF FUNCTIONS AND POWERS 


The exercise of the functions and powers of this Synod 
shall be distributed into three departments: 1. The Synod. 
2. The Ministerial Session. 3. The Conferences. 


ARTICLE TWO 
MEETINGS 


1. A regular meeting of the Synod shall be held annually 
at the time specified in the By-Laws. 

2. Special meetings shall be called by the President upon 
the request of the Executive Committee or the written re- 
quest of one-fifth of the ministers; but no business shall be 
BSE at a special meeting except that specified in the 
call. 

3. One-third of the ministers, with the lay delegates pres- 
ent, shall constitute a quorum. 

4. Notice of the time and place of all meetings shall be 
given by the secretary, by publication in the official organ of 
The United Lutheran Church, at least four weeks in advance 
for regular meetings, and two weeks for special meetings. 


ARTICLE THREE 
Section I—THE OFFICERS 


1. The Officers of the Synod shall be a President, a Secre- 
tary or Secretaries, and a Treasurer. They shali be elected 
at regular meetings of the Synod. Ministers only shall be 
eligible to the offices of President and Secretary. For admin- 
istrative purposes the Synod may from time to time elect and 
designate other officers additional to those named in this 
paragraph. 

2. The term of office of the President shall be [five sug- 
gested] years; that of other officers one year or until their 
successors are elected. They shall be eligible to re-election. 
_3. Should a vacancy occur in any of these offices, the Execu- 
tive Committee shall be empowered to fill the same until the 
next regular meeting of the Synod. 

4. The officers shall be entitled to receive the necessary 


FOR CONSTITUENT SYNODS | 


expenses incident to the duties imposed by their office, and 
such remuneration as the Synod may determine. 


Section [I—THE PRESIDENT 


1. The term of the office of the President shall begin on 
the first day of the [second] month succeeding the month of 
his election. 

2. He shall exercise supervision over all ministers and con- 
gregations connected with the Synod, and_ over all agencies 
created by the Synod for the prosecution of the general work 
of the Church. 

3. He shall preside at all meetings of the Synod, anole 
shall be his duty to see that the Constitution, By-Laws, and 
decisions of the Synod are duly obeyed, and its resolutions 
carried into effect. 

4. As necessity arises he shall visit the congregations be- 
longing to the Synod, and confer and advise with pastors and 
people concerning their spiritual and temporal welfare. 

s. He shall ordain all accepted candidates for the minis- 
terial office, and install the pastors of all congregations be- 
longing to the Synod, or provide for and authorize their 
ordination and installation as the Synod may prescribe in its 
By-Laws. 

6. When the execution of deeds or other instruments of 
writing is ordered by the Synod, or required by the Consti- 
tution, or becomes proper and necessary in carrying on the 
business of the corporation, the President is authorized and 
empowered, in the name of the Synod, to sign the same and 
to affix the corporate seal of the Synod. 

7. He shall annually submit to the Synod a report of all 
his official acts, except matters of a pastoral or private char- 
acter, together with such other information and recommenda- 
tions as he may deem of importance. 


Section IJI—THE SECRETARIES 


1. There shall be a Secretary of the Synod as a corpor- 
ation, who shall keep all official minutes of the Synod. He, 
and any other Secretaries which the Synod may elect, shall 
enter upon his duty on the first day of the [second] month 
succeeding the month of his election. 


8 SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION 


2. The Secretary or Secretaries shall prepare and keep a 
correct register of the ministers belonging to the Synod, with 
the dates of their entrance into the ministry and places of 
residence; also a similar register of the congregations and 
parishes connected with the Synod, with the names of the 
pastors serving them and of the lay delegates appointed to 
represent them. Accurate and faithful records of all the 
proceedings of the Synod and of the ministerial sessions shall 
be kept by the Secretary or Secretaries, who shall have charge 
of the printing and distribution of the Minutes, as directed 
by the Synod, and such other duties as the Synod may from 
time to time direct. 

3. The Secretary of the Corporation is authorized and em- 
powered, in the name of the Synod, to attest all instruments 
of writing ordered by the Synod or required by the Consti- 
tution or necessary in carrying on the business of the Cor- 
poration, and signed and sealed by the President. 


SECTION IV—THE TREASURER 


1. The term of office of the Treasurer shall begin on the 
first day of the [second] month succeeding the month of his 
election. 

2. The Treasurer shall have charge of all the moneys and | 
accounts of the Synod, its deeds, mortgages, contracts, and 
evidences of claims and revenues, and of its trust funds, 
except such as Synod may specially commit to other agents, 
aut the same at all times subject to the order of the 
synod. 

3. He shall receive and acknowledge all contributions, dona- 
tions, legacies and bequests made to the Synod, collect ail 
interest and income from invested funds, and pay all appro- 
priations and orders of the Synod on the several accounts as 
approved and directed by the Executive Committee. 

4. He shall keep a regular account with each congregation 
of the Synod, and from time to time during the synodical 
year inform the Council or Vestry of each congregation of 
the state of this account, and prepare and submit at each 
regular convention of the Synod a tabular statement of such 
accounts for record and publication. 

5. By and with the advice and consent of the Executive 
Committee he shall make, change, or renew investments of 
funds owned or held in trust by the Synod; and he is duly 


FOR CONSTITUENT SYNODS 9 


empowered, constituted and authorized as the attorney in 
fact for the Synod to satisfy of record any mortgages, judg- 
ments, notes or recorded evidences of indebtedness, upon 
the payment and receipt in full of the amounts so secured by 
the same, and to assign and transfer any policies of insurance 
or other securities that may be held as collateral to such 
mortgages, loans or judgments. 

6. He shall deposit regularly all moneys received for any 
account of the Synod, and make all investments, in the name 
of and to the use of the Synod. 

7, On entering upon his office he shall give satisfactory 
bond to the Synod for the faithful performance of his duties, 
in such amount as the Executive Committee shall determine, 
which bond shall be in the custody of the President. 

8 At each annual convention he shall render a full, detailed 
and accurate report to the Synod of all receipts and disburse- 
ments in his several accounts, with a statement of the financial 
condition of the Synod and its apportioned obligations to 
The United Lutheran Church in America, which report shall 
be regularly audited and certified. 


Ave tea OU 
Tue MINISTERIAL SESSION 


[Synods which have no Ministerial Session should provide 
for the discharge of these functions by the Synod itself .] 

1. The ordained members of the Synod shall constitute the 
Ministerial Session (Ministerium). 

>». To the Ministerial Session shall belong the duty of pass- 
ing upon and reporting to the Synod all applications for ordi- 
nation or reception of ministers recommended by the Ex- 
amining Committee; of examining and trying cases of heresy 
‘n doctrine or teaching and preaching what is in conflict with 
the doctrinal basis set forth in Article One, Section II; of 
hearing and trying, in executive session, cases in which appeal 
is granted by Synod from the findings of a Committee on 
Discipline; and of transacting such other business as the 
Synod may refer to it. 

3. A regular Ministerial Session shall be held in connection 
with the annual convention of Synod, when the Examining 
Committee is prepared to report its recommendations in the 
matter of applicants for ordination or membership. Other 


10 SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION 


sessions during the Annual Synodical Convention may be 
called by the President. 

4. The Ministerial Session shall be subject to the rules of 
order governing a regular Synodical meeting; and one-third 
of the ministers belonging to Synod shall constitute a quorum. 


ARTICLE FIVE 
Tue CONFERENCES 


1. District Conferences shall be constituted, composed of 
ministers and congregations of the Synod located within a 
given territory, as from time to time determined by Synod. 

2. It shall be the duty of each Conference to care for the 
interests and development of the Church upon its territory; 
to assist in carrying out the regulations and resolutions of 
the Synod; and, with the consent of the President of Synod 
and the congregations concerned, to alter existing pastoral 
charges; to appoint a Mission Committee, of which the Presi- 
dent of Conference shall be the chairman, to report and co- 
operate with the Synodical Mission Committee concerning 
missions and new mission fields within the Conference bounds 
under such rules as the Synod may from time to time adopt; 
and to attend to such other duties within its territory as may 
be assigned to it by the Synod. 

3. Each Conference shall annually appoint a committee on 
systematic benevolence, of which the President of the Con- 
ference shall be chairman, to co-operate with the Synodical 
Treasurer (or such other official as Synod may appoint for 
the promotion of systematic benevolence), as a Committee 
of Ways and Means, and report to Conference on benevo- 
lence offerings, apportionments and uniform statistics. 

4. Every pastor and congregation belonging to the Synod 
and residing or being located within the bounds of a Con- 
ference shall by that fact belong to that Conference. Or- 
dained ministers of the Synod not actively serving pastorates 
shall be assigned Conference connection by the President of 
the Synod. If any portion of a pastoral charge is not within 
the boundary lines of the same Conference District, the place 
in which the pastor resides shall determine his own and the 
Conference connection of his pastoral charge. 

5. Each Conference shall meet at least once in each year, 
and as many more times as circumstances may require. 


FOR CONSTITUENT SYNODS poe 


Special meetings may be called by the President of the Synod, 
the President of the Conference, or as may be otherwise 
determined by the Conference itself. One-third of the min- 
isters belonging to the Conference, together with the lay 
delegates present, shall constitute a quorum. 

6. Each Conference shall annually elect a minister to be 
President, and such other officers as may be necessary for 
the transaction of its business. 

7. The Conference may adopt for itself any rules and 
regulations not in conflict with the Constitution and By-Laws 
of the Synod or of the regulations and resolutions of The 
United Lutheran Church in America. 

8 The President of the Synod shall have a voice and vote 
in meetings of each Conference. 

9. The actions of a Conference shall at all times be sub- 
ject to review by the Synod. 

10. The President of each Conference shall make a written 
report, including an abstract of the proceedings of the Con- 
ference, stating also the condition and needs of the Church 
within its bounds, and shall transmit the same to the Presi- 
dent of the Synod at least three weeks before the annual 
meeting of the Synod. 


ARTICLE SIX 
Section [—THe ExEcuTIVE COMMITTEE 


1. There shall be an Executive Committee of the Synod 
consisting of the President, the Secretary of the Corpor- 
ation and the Treasurer of the Synod, together with an equal 
number of ministers and laymen to be elected annually by 
the Synod. 

> It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to 
represent the Synod and to carry out its resolutions; to at- 
tend to the business of the Synod during the interim; to co- 
ordinate the work of the executive departments; to supervise 
and provide effective agencies for the laying and collection 
of apportionments; to promote the interests of The United 
Lutheran Church in America and this Body’s relation thereto ; 
to receive reports of the work and needs of the several 
Boards, Committees, and executive Agencies of the Synod 
and to present a budget with apportionments to the annual 
convention; to fill vacancies not otherwise provided for; and 


12 SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION 


perform such other work as may be delegated to it by Synod, 
to which it shall make full report of its acts. 

3. It shall cause an annual examination to be made of all 
investments and securities held by the Synod, and report 
thereon; recommend all appropriations to be made by the 
Synod, and without its approval no appropriations shall be 
made, except by a three-fourths vote of the Synod, 

4. It shall hold regular meetings during the interim as 
Synod may determine. Special meetings may be called by 
the President of Synod, or, in case of his death or removal, 
by the Executive Secretary of the Corporation. One-third 
of the members shall constitute a quorum. 

5. It shall have power to appoint all. necessary sub-com- 
mittees from among its members. It shall also determine 
the amount of salary to be paid to any Officer of the Synod 
entitled thereto, when not otherwise determined, and shall 
make appropriations to meet its necessary expenses. 


SecTION JI—TuHe Mrssion COMMITTEE 


1. There shall be a Committee on Missions, to consist of 
the President of Synod, three ministers and two laymen. A 
missionary on the funds of the Board shall not be a member 
of the Committee unless he is President of the Synod. 

2. The Committee may elect a Secretary and a Treasurer, 
and shall hold regular meetings as may be necessary (at least 
quarterly) to hear reports and consider all applications for 
aid and the needs of all missions and new fields on the Synod- 
ical territory. 

3. It shall superintend and have charge of the missions on 
the territory of the Synod, under the direction and rules of 
the General Board of Home Missions and Church Extension 
of The United Lutheran Church in America. It shall confer 
with the district General Superintendent of said General 
Board, and with him make a budget for the necessary funds 
to be expended on the Synodical territory for the year, which 
budget shall be submitted for approval to said General Board. 
The budget decided upon by the District General Superintend- 
ent and the Synodical Committee shall represent a maximum 
amount for the year. 

4. The Committee on Missions shall also co-operate with 
the Board of Home Missions and Church Extension of The 
United Lutheran Church in America in matters of Church 
Extension funds, 


FOR CONSTITUENT SYNODS 13 


5. The Committee shall endeavor to foster and cultivate a 
missionary spirit among the congregations of the Synod, and 
it shall advise with and assist Conference Committees in 
planting new missions. It shall have charge of and superin- 
tend the work and activities of Inner Missions, of City and 
Seamen’s, and other general missionaries whose salaries, 
either in whole or in part, are paid by the Synod; and such 
general missionaries shall render quarterly reports to the 
Committee. 

6. The Committee on Missions shall, upon the direction of 
the Synod, elect a Synodical Missionary Superintendent; or, 
if Synod so decide, unite with the Synodical Committee of 
a neighboring Synod or Synods of The United Lutheran 
Church in America in the election of a District Missionary 
Superintendent, and shall make recommendation to the Synod 
for an apportionment sufficient to cover the salary and ex- 
penses of such Synodical or District Superintendent. 


ARTICLE SEVEN 
SEecTION I—CoMMITTEE OF PRESIDENTS 


1. This Committee shall consist of the President of the 
Synod, who shall be its Chairman, and the Presidents of the 
Conferences. 

2. The duty of this Committee shall be to advise with and 
assist the President of Synod in the discharge of the duties 
of his office; to confer with him concerning the needs of the 
Church on the territory of the respective Conferences, and 
to consider and advise with him concerning resolutions and 
needs of The United Lutheran Church in America to make 
the same effective in the congregations of the Synod; and to 
act upon such other matters as may be referred to it from 
time to time by the Synod. 

3. This Committee shall make a record of all pastoral in- 
stallations, corner-stone layings, dedications of churches, 
etc., together with proper memoirs of ministers of the Synod 
deceased during the year; and report the same and all its 
actions to the annual convention of the Synod. 


Section II—CoMMITTEE ON MINISTERIAL EDUCATION 
1. This Committee shall consist of the President of the 


14 SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION 


Synod, and an equal number of ministers and laymen to be 
appointed annually by the President of the Synod. | 

2. It shail be the duty of this Committee to devise ways 
and means to encourage young men to prepare for the Min- 
istry of the Gospel; to disburse such funds as the Synod shall 
appropriate or as may be granted by the Board of Education 
of The United Lutheran Church in America for the assist- 
ance of Students for the Ministry, and supervise their work 
under such rules as the Synod shall approve; and to present 
to the Synod all such information and recommendations re- 
garding the work of Ministerial Education as may require 
consideration or action. 


Section III—TuHr EXAMINING COMMITTEE 


1. This Committee shall consist of not less than .......... 
ordained ministers of Synod, who shall be appointed by the 
President of the Synod for a term of three years, in such 
manner that the terms of at least two members shall expire 
each year. No member shall be reappointed until a year shall 
have expired after the completion of his term of service. 

2. It shall be the duty of this Committee to examine into 
the qualifications of all applicants for ordination and admis- 
sion into the Synod, as provided in Article Eight, Section I. 

3. This Committee shall report to the Ministerial Session, 
and shall recommend such applicants as shall satisfy the pro- 
visions of Article Eight, Section I, but a two-thirds vote of 
the members of the Committee present shall be necessary for 
recommendation. 


ARTICLE EIGHT 
THE RECEPTION OF MEMBERS 
Section I—MuInIsTers 


1. All applications for ordination or for reception into the 
Synod shall be made to the President and referred by him to 
the Examining Committee, which shall report on the same to 
the Ministerial Session; and upon the recommendation of a 
two-thirds vote of the Ministerial Session, the final decision 
shall be made by the Synod. 

2. Every minister received into the Synod and every candi- 


FOR CONSTITUENT SYNODS 15 


date who is ordained shall sign this Constitution prior to ad- 
mission into membership. 


A. Applicants for Ordination. 


1, The examination of candidates for ordination shall be 
open to all members of the Synod. It shall test the general 
fitness of each applicant for the office of the Ministry, his 
reasons for seeking the office, his theological attainments, his 
acceptance of the standards prescribed in Article One, Sec- 
tion Il, and his loyal appreciation of the organization and 
work of the Synod and of The United Lutheran Church in 
America. 

2. Applicants for ordination shall present to the Examining 
Committee a satisfactory written testimonial of Christian life 
and character and also of the course pursued in theological 
study. 

3. Every candidate to be ordained by the Synod shall be 
at least twenty-one years of age, and shall exhibit satisfactory 
evidence to the Examining Committee that he has received 
a regular call from a congregation, a Synod or a Church 
Board, to a specific field of ministerial labor, and that he has 
ae ae such call upon the condition of his approval by the 

ynod. 

4. A candidate who has not received and accepted a call 
may present himself for examination, and if approved by the 
Examining Committee, he may be favorably reported by the 
Ministerial Session and recommended to the Synod for ordi- 
nation—which shall take place when he shall have submitted 
satisfactory evidence to the President that he has received 
and accepted a regular call, and shall have given assurance 
of his acceptance of the provisions of this Constitution, espe- 
cially Article One, Section LE 


B. Of Ordained Ministers. 


1. Any regularly ordained minister of a constituent Synod 
of The United Lutheran Church in America, applying for 
admission into this Synod, shall furnish evidence of his ordi- 
nation and Christian character, together with a letter of dis- 
missal issued by the Synod from which he comes: he shall 
present himself for consultation to the Examining Committee ; 
and if, on favorable report of said Committee to the Min- 


16 SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION 


isterial Session, two-thirds of the ministers present approve 
he shall be recommended to the Synod for reception. 

2. Any regularly ordained minister of the Evangelical Luth- 
eran Church, belonging to a Synod not constituent of The 
United Lutheran Church in America, who may apply for ad- 
mission into the Synod, shall furnish satisfactory evidence 
of his ordination and of his Christian character, together with 
a letter of dismissal or testimonial of good standing issued 
by the body from which he comes; he shall also be subject 
to a colloquium with the Examining Committee as to his ac- 
ceptance of the standards prescribed in Article One, Sec- 
tion II, and his loyal appreciation of the organization and 
work of the Synod and of The United Lutheran Church in 
America; and if, on favorable report from the Examining 
Committee to the Ministerial] Session, two-thirds of the min- 
isters present approve he shall be recommended to the Synod 
for reception. 

3. A minister coming from an Ecclesiastical Body other 
than Lutheran shall, with his application for membership, 
Present satisfactory evidence of his ordination and his Chris- 
tian character, as well as his good standing in the Body with 
which he was formerly connected. His application and testi- 
monials shall be referred to the Examining Committee, who, 
in colloquium with the applicant, shall ascertain his knowledge 
and acceptance of Lutheran doctrine and practice, especially 
the doctrinal basis and usages of this Synod and of The 
United Lutheran Church in America. If such examination 
warrant, the Examining Committee shall, in each instance, 
recommend to the Ministerial Session the action to be taken; 
and if, on favorable report of the Committee, two-thirds of 
the ministers present and voting shall approve, he shall be 
recommended to the Synod for reception. 


SECTION II—ReEcEpTIon oF CONGREGATIONS 


A congregation desiring admission to the Synod shall place 
in the hands of the President a formal application signed by 
the secretary of the Church Council and by the pastor, and 
shall send a representative to the meeting of the Synod; it 
shall submit a copy of its Constitution, and of its Charter, if 
incorporated. If these are in accord with the requirements 
of the Constitution of the Synod, the congregation may be 
received into membership by a majority vote of the Synod at 


° 


FOR CONSTITUENT SYNODS LZ 


any meeting. Contemplated changes of its Constitution, 
affecting its articles on Faith, adherence to the Synod and 
The United Lutheran Church in America, and disposition of 
its property, shall be reported to the President of the Synod 
for his approval. 


ARTICLE NINE 
SecTION I—MINISTERS 


1. Ministerial members of the Synod are those who have 
become such by ordination or by reception from another 
Synod in accordance with Article Eight of this Constitution. 
Their membership shall cease only by death, by regular trans- 
fer and reception into another Synod, or by process under 
Article Eleven. They become pastors by being regularly 
called to serve a congregation or pastoral charge of the Synod, 
and after their installation as such upon the approval of the 
President of the Synod. 

> In addition to pastors of congregations the Synod may 
include and continue upon its ministerial roll such who, al- 
though without a pastoral charge, hold educational, executive, 
missionary or editorial offices to which they have been 
appointed by the Synod or by The United Lutheran Church 
in America or any of its regularly constituted Boards which 
are recognized as competent to make such appointments. 

3. Every minister shall conform his preaching, and teach- 
ing, to the doctrinal basis set forth in Article One, Section II. 

4. Every pastor shall preach the Word, administer the 
Sacraments, conform the manner of conducting public wor- 
ship to the accepted practice of The United Lutheran Church 
in America, using such books of worship and instruction as 
have been accepted and approved by The United Lutheran 
Church in America; he shall care for the people under his 
pastorate as individuals and as congregations in common 
faith and harmonious interest with all other members and 
congregations of The United Lutheran Church in America; 
give catechetical instruction regularly; confirm, perform 
the marriage ceremony in accordance with the laws of 
God and of the State; visit and minister to the sick and 
infirm; bury the dead; install regularly elected members 
of the Church Council, and, with the Council, administer 
discipline; supervise all schools and auxiliary organizations 
of the congregation, and promote the upbuilding of the King- 


° 


18 SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION 


dom of our Lord Jesus Christ in the community, in the home- 
land and abroad. He shall seek out and encourage young 
men having proper natural gifts and qualifications to pre- 
pare for ordination to the Holy Ministry of the Gospel; co- 
operate with the agencies and officers of Conference and 
Synod in every way to educate the people to increase their 
liberality for the causes of benevolence recommended by the 
Synod or supported by The United Lutheran Church in 
America; and shall use his best endeavor to stimulate piety 
in the individual and family life of the people, as well as a 
knowledge of the Church and her work by the circulation of 
the literature of the Church. 


5. The pastor shall keep accurate parochial records of bap- 
tisms, confirmations, members received by transfer or pro- 
fession of faith, members dismissed, deceased or excommuni- 
cated, together with a roster of all communicant members of 
his charge, keeping the record of each congregation in a 
pastoral charge in a separate book, which shall be the prop- 
erty of the congregation; and shall annually report an ac- 
curate abstract of these statistics to the Synod or to an official 
appointed by the Synod for that purpose, for publication in a 
Synodical table of Parochial Reports. 


6. No minister shall preach or perform any ministerial act 
within the pastorate or pastoral charge of a brother minister, 
except upon his request or with his consent; nor shall he 
visit and preach or perform ministerial acts.in a vacant charge 
or congregation except upon formal invitation of the Church 
Council, or the consent or appointment of the President of 
the Synod. 

7. Should a minister belonging to this Synod find himself 
constrained to demit the regular duties of the ministry, his 
name shall be continued upon the roll as a member; but if 
he engages in any business or office incompatible with the 
nature of the Holy Office of the Ministry, such act shall be 
sufficient reason why the Synod, upon recommendation of 
the Ministerial Session, should strike his name from its mem- 
bership roll. In this connection the Committee of Presidents 
is charged to report annually to the Ministerial Session for 
consideration and reference a full list of all others than super- 
annuated or physically incapacitated ministers on the roll who 
for a period of two or more years have not been engaged in 
regular ministerial work as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 


FOR CONSTITUENT SYNODS 19 


of this Section, and the Ministerial Session shall decide when 


the name of a disengaged minister is to be recommended to 
the Synod to be dropped from the roll of members. 


8. If any minister in good and regular standing in the 
Synod enters a field of labor within some Synod in the same 
fellowship of faith with this Synod, he shall, upon application 
to the President, be entitled to, and the President shall fur- 
nish him with, a certificate of honorable dismissal; but until 
formally received into the membership of the Synod to which 
he has been dismissed he shall be fully amenable to this 
Synod. 

g. It shall be the duty of every pastor, when members of 
his congregation or pastoral charge remove into the bounds 
of another, to urge such members to connect themselves with 
the congregation into whose territory they have removed; to 
immediately notify the pastor of said pastoral charge of such 
removal; and, upon application, to furnish certificates of 
transfer to such as are entitled to the same. 


10. When the Synod deems that loyalty to the Word of 
God requires it, it shall advise, admonish, and exercise dis- 
cipline concerning the association and affiliation of its min- 
isters with non-ecclesiastical and other organizations whose 
principles or practices the Synod shall deem to be inconsis- 
tent with full loyalty to the Christian Church. (See Consti- 
tution of The United Lutheran Church, Art. VIII, Section 6.) 


11. All ministers of the Synod shall attend all meetings of 
the Synod, the Ministerial Session, and the Conference to 
which they belong. In case of unavoidable absence, the ab- 
sentee shall send to the secretary an excuse for his absence ; 
and nothing shall be regarded as a valid excuse except'urgent 
necessity and positive inability to attend. Repeated absence 
without valid excuse shall subject the absentee to discipline. 


Section I[I—LIcENTIATES 


1. In case of a lack of ordained ministers available to serve 
all the pastorates of the Synod, or for special pastoral ser- 
vice as need may arise, theological students, of general quali- 
fications fitted for ministry and having satisfactorily passed 
the first and second years in an accepted Theological Semi- 
nary of the Lutheran Church, may be licensed by the Synod 


20 SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION 


to preach and perform ministerial acts in charge of a pastor- 
ate to which they have been regularly called, or appointed 
by the President of Synod as supply pastors, for a period of 
time, on condition, however, that such licentiates agree to 
return to a Theological Seminary after a period of licensed 
service and complete their studies for graduation in the usual 
course as applicants for ordination. 


2. Before accepting a call, a licentiate shall obtain the con- 
sent of the President of Synod. 


3. All applications for licensure shall be made to the Presi- 
dent of Synod and by him be referred to the Examining 
Committee. 


4. Applicants for licensure shall appear before the Examin- 
ing Committee, who, upon satisfactory evidence of fitness, 
may recommend such applicants to the Ministerial Session 
for licensure. 


5. A licentiate shall have power to perform all ministerial 
acts, and represent his pastorate as a delegate to the Synod 
or Conference during the time specified in his license as if he 
were ordained. 


6. After a licentiate has taken a charge, he shall not leave 
the same during the time of his license without the consent 
or call of the President of Synod. 


7. All licenses issued by order of the Synod shall expire 
at the next annual meeting of the Synod, but may, at the 
recommendation of the Ministerial Session, be renewed for 
one succeeding year. 


&. Every licentiate shall keep an accurate journal of his 
ministerial acts, which, with at least four sermons preached 
by him, and his certificate of licensure, he shall deliver to 
the President of Synod at least three weeks before the annual 
meeting of the Synod, for the inspection of the Examining 
Committee. 


9. Should the attention of the President of Synod be 
directed by common rumor or complaint to alleged offences 
or incapacity of any licentiate of the Synod, he shall immedi- 
ately investigate the matter: and, should he deem such action 
necessary, he shall immediately recall and annul the license 
of such licentiate. 


FOR CONSTITUENT SYNODS Zy 


ARDICLE LEN 
THE CONGREGATIONS 


1. It shall be the duty of the Church Council or Councils 
of every pastoral charge belonging to the Synod to appoint 
annually from its communicant members in good standing a 
lay delegate who shall represent the charge at all meetings 
of Synod and of Conference, and submit his report to the 
parish; and the congregation or pastoral charge shall arrange 
to pay his and their pastor’s regular expenses to be in full 
attendance upon such meetings. It may also appoint an alter- 
nate to take the place of the regular delegate in his absence. 


2. Every congregation belonging to the Synod, as it has a 
share in all its acts and supervision, shall comply with the 
Constitution, By-Laws, ‘decisions and recommendations of 
the Synod and local Conference, and conform its public wor- 
ship and ministrations to the order used by The United Luth- 
eran Church in America and approved by the Synod. It shall 
observe and make systematic effort to meet at least the 
apportioned amount of contributions to the treasury O1etue 
Synod, and afford to all its members a regular channel of 
contribution for the benevolent operations of the Church, the 
minimum amount being indicated by a budget of apportion- 
ments by Synod to the congregation. It shall make earnest 
effort to pay such amounts into the Synodical Treasury in 
monthly installments. It shall make due and liberal pro- 
vision for the Ministration of the Word and Sacraments, en- 
deavor to hold at least one service every Lord’s Day and see 
that the pastor is properly supported; and make all necessary 
provision for the promotion of piety in its families and for 
the Christian training of the young. 


3. In cases of vacancy, difficulty or strife in a congrega- 
tion, the Church Council shall seek the advice and instruc- 
tion of the President of the Synod. 


4. In cases of strife and division, should any part of a con- 
gregation belonging to the Synod reject the faith set forth 
in Article One, Section II, or revolt against the Constitu- 
tional provisions or its obligations as a member of the Synod, 
that part of the congregation, whether majority or minority, 


. 


of its membership, which continues in unity with the Synod 


ae SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION 


and its faith shall be recognized as the lawful congregation. 


5. No congregation shall make any enactments in conflict 
with this Constitution or with the accepted regulations of The 
United Lutheran Church in America. 


6. Should a pastor resign, the Church Council shall receive 
the letter of resignation and refer the same to the congrega- 
tion for its action; and at once report the fact to the Presi- 
dent of the Synod. 


ARTICLE ELEVEN 
DISCIPLINE 
SEcTION I—OFFENCES 


The offences for which members of the Synod shall be 
subject to discipline are: 

(a.) Preaching or teaching doctrine in conflict with the 
faith set forth in Article One, Section II. 


(b.) Conduct incompatible with moral purity or with the 
character of the ministerial office. 


(c.) Willful disregard and violation of the Constitution, 
authority and resolutions of the Synod. 


Section J[I—PENALTIES 


1. The penalties which may be imposed upon ministers are: 


(a.) Private censure and admonition by the President. 
(b.) Public censure and admonition in any session of the 
Synod or Conference. 


_ (c.) Suspension from the office and functions of the min- 
istry for a designated period, or until there is satisfactory 
evidence of repentance and amendment. 


(d.) Exclusion from the Synod. 
(e.) Deposition from the ministerial office. 


2. Should any congregation belonging to the Synod turn 
away from the faith set forth in Article One, Section ere 


FOR CONSTITUENT SY NODS 23 


neglect or refuse to exercise proper discipline over its mem- 
bers after due admonition by the President of the Synod ; 
disparage the cause of the Christian Church and the wup- 
building of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ through applied 
benevolences; or willfully disregard and violate the Constitu- 
tion and resolutions of the Synod and persist in such dis- 
regard and violation, it shall be excluded from membership 
in this Synod. 


Section IIJ—PROocESSES AGAINST A MINISTER 
A. The Bringing of Charges. 
I. BY A CONGREGATION 


If serious accusation be lodged against a minister before a 
Church Council by (six?) voting members in the congrega- 
tion, unless otherwise provided for by the Constitution of 
the congregation, the Council shall confer with him, about 
the same and shall endeavor to obviate all just cause of com- 
plaint and to reconcile all parties; nor shall any further steps 
be taken until all proper efforts to this end on the part 0 
the Church Council have been exhausted. 

If in the judgment of the Church Council a prima facie 
case has been made out against the minister, it shall report 
its findings in writing to the President of the Synod, specify- 
ing the charges, which must, however, be founded on the 
subscribed testimony of at least two credible witnesses. If 
the Church Council shall ignore the accusation the members 
of the congregation who have brought the charges may in 
like manner lay them before the President of the Synod. 

If a minister be charged with some specific sin not in the 
manner aforesaid, but by widespread rumor which is not 
transient, but which continues and strengthens, the Church 
Council shall endeavor to remove the scandal; and if it fails 
or finds evidence of guilt, it shall at once report the case to 
the President of the Synod. 


2. BY MEMBERS OF THE SYNOD 


Three members of the Synod may prefer charges against 
a minister, but such charges must be specific, in writing, and 
signed by them. 


24 SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION 


3. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SYNOD 


Should the attention of the President of the Synod be 
directed by rumor or complaint to alleged offences on the 
part of any of its members he shall immediately investigate 
the matter and endeavor to remove any cause for complaint 
or scandal. Should he fail in his efforts, or should he deem 
such action necessary, he shall appoint a committee of investi- 
gation as hereinafter provided. 


B. The Preliminary Investigation. 
IN CASES THAT MAY REQUIRE A FORMAL TRIAL - 


If any accusation against a minister of the Synod be lodged 
with the President by a congregation, or by three members 
of the Synod, he shall at once communicate with the accused 
respecting the matter; and, if the accused should desire an 
investigation, or the nature of the accusation be such as to 
call for it, the President shall order’ such investigation by 
the Conference, or he may appoint a committee for that 
purpose, and cite the accused to appear before said com- 
mittee to make answer to the charges. 

When such investigation is appointed, a copy of the com- 
plaint against the accused shall be furnished him by the 
President, allowing him not less than ten days between the 
time of his citation and the time appointed for the hearing ; 
and if the accused should refuse or fail to appear without 
presenting adequate reasons why the investigation should be 
deferred to another time, it shall proceed in the same manner 
as if he were present. 

If the findings in such an investigation show gross immor- 
ality, or flagrant transgression, the same shall at once be 
reported to the President of the Synod, who shall immedi- 
ately suspend him from the office and functions of the min- 
istry until his case has been finally decided by the Synod. 

If the findings of the investigation show sufficient evidence 
of guilt, besides reporting the case to the President, the Con- 
ference or committee making the investigation shall formu- 
late the charges and _ specifications against the accused, and 
the President of the Synod shall furnish a copy to the ac- 
cused not less than twenty days before the meeting of the 


FOR CONSTITUENT SYNODS 25 


Synod, at the same time citing him to appear at said meeting, 
when his case shall be heard and decided. 


C. The Trial. 


When charges have been brought against a minister of the 
Synod and the preliminary investigation has shown that a 
formal trial is necessary, the President shall report the matter 
to the next annual meeting of the Synod, or to a special 
meeting called for the purpose, and the case shall be referred 
to a Committee on Discipline consisting of not less than 
(fifteen?) members. The charges and specifications against 
the accused shall be presented, in his presence if he desires 
it. The accused shall have the right and opportunity to be 
fully heard and to call witnesses in his own defence, and may 
be represented by counsel, who, however, shall be members 
of congregations belonging to the Synod. The Committee 
on Discipline shall hear all relevant testimony, and_ shall 
present its findings to the Synod. If the findings be ad- 
verse to the accused, it shall also recommend the penalty 
to be inflicted. The findings of the Committee may be 
adopted and the penalty determined by a majority vote of the 
Synod; but the accused may appeal from the findings of the 
Committee, in which case he shall be tried by the Synod in 
secret session, and the method of procedure shall be the same 
as betore the Committee on Discipline. In case of such appeal 
all penalties shall be suspended until the case has been tried 
and determined by the Synod. 

When a minister is charged with teaching or preaching 
doctrines that are in conflict with Article One, Section II, of 
this Constitution, the Committee on Discipline shall consist 
entirely of ministers, and shall report its findings to the 
Ministerial Session; but the accused may appeal to the said 
Ministerial Session against the findings of the Committee, in 
which case the Ministerial Session shall proceed to try the 
charges. In acting upon the report of the Committee on 
Discipline or in its trial of charges, the Ministerial Session 
shall take a vote upon two counts: First, Is the doctrine 
specified in conflict with Article One, Section II? Second, 
Is the accused guilty of preaching or teaching such doctrines? 
The guilt of the accused shall be determined only upon a 
two-thirds vote on the first count, and upon a majority vote 


26 SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION 


on the second count. The Ministerial Session shall then re- 
port its decision to the Synod, which shall determine the 
penalty by a majority vote; but the penalty shall not be less 
than suspension from the Ministry, which shall continue until 
such time as the accused shall have made full recantation of 
the errors because of which he has been suspended. 


When the Synod has made final decision in the case of the 
trial of a minister, the President of the Synod shall at once 
announce the decision, whether guilty or not guilty. If guilty, 
the President shall pronounce the sentence in the presence of 
the body; also, if possible, in the presence of the person. ad- 
judged guilty, and a copy of the sentence shall be given him. 

If in any case new evidence shall be presented to the Presi- 
dent which shall be sufficient in his judgment to warrant a 
retrial, he shall present the evidence to the Synod, and the 
latter shall decide whether the case shall be reopened. When 
the penalty imposed has been greater than that of public or 
private censure, he shall at once call a special meeting of the 
Synod to consider the matter. 

The proceedings in a case of discipline shall not be pub- 
lished, in part or in whole, before the final decision is reached 
and the result officially declared. 

The administration of discipline in a congregation is 
governed by the congregation’s Constitution, but a pastor or 
member of any congregation belonging to the Synod may 
appeal to the Synod from the disciplinary action of the con- 
gregation. All such appeals, whether on the part of the 
pastor or a member of the congregation, must be made in 
writing to the President of the Synod within thirty days after 
the action has been taken. A copy of said appeal shall be 
promptly transmitted by the appellant to the officers of the 
congregation, nor shall the appeal be entertained unless there 
is evidence that the same has been received by said officers. 
Upon receiving such appeal, the President of the Synod shall 
refer the matter for investigation and determination to the 
Conference with which the congregation is connected, or to 
a special committee appointed by him. All relevant testimony 
shall be heard in such investigation. The decision or finding 
of the Conference or committee shall be reported to the 
President of the Synod and shall be final unless the Synod at 
its subsequent meeting shall determine otherwise. 


No minister or layman while under discipline or sentence 


FOR CONSTITUENT SYNODS 21 


of suspension shall hold any office in the Synod, or serve as 
a delegate, director or trustee under its appointment; and 


every committee, board, delegation, or body of appointees 
constituted by the Synod shall see to the enforcement of this 


rule. 

It shall also be the duty of all pastors and congregations 
belonging to the Synod to respect the disciplinary action of 
the Synod; and for any pastor or congregation to set aside 
or disregard any such disciplinary action shall be deemed a 
violation of order which shall subject the offender to dis- 
cipline. 


ARTICLE TWELVE 
The Synod shall be incorporated. 


ARTICLE THIRTEEN 
THE SEAL AND THIS CONSTITUTION 
Section | 


1. The Seal of the Synod presents (here describe definitely 
the er and legend which the Seal of the Synod con- 
tains). 


>» The Seal shall be in charge-of the President of the 
Synod, who shall affix it, or cause it to be affixed, to all docu- 
ments, certificates, deeds, legal papers, or official copies of 
resolutions, licenses, etc., requiring the Seal of the Synod. 


Section II 


1. The provisions and ordinances contained in the Consti- 
tution and By-Laws of the Synod, in so far as the same are 
severally applicable, shall be of like force in the government 
of the Synod, the Ministerial Session and the Conferences. 


2. Section II of Article One (Subject, The Doctrinal 
Basis) of this Constitution shall not be altered nor amended 
by this Synod. 


3. Other articles of the Constitution of this Synod may be 


28 SUGGESTED CONSTITUTION 


amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a 
regular annual meeting, provided that such proposed amend- 
ment be moved and presented in writing by not less than 
(six?) members at a previous regular annual meeting. 


4. Everything in any By-Law, resolution, or enactment of 
the Synod differing from or in conflict with this Constitution 
is hereby superseded and repealed. 








